Tuesday, June 6th marks the 73rd Anniversary of D-Day. During World War II (1939-1945), the Battle of Normandy resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control. The battle began on June 6, 1944, also known as D-Day, when more than 160,000 American, British and Canadian Allied forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region.

According to National Archives, on the evening of June 5th, 1944, just hours before the D-Day landings in Normandy, U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe, issued an encouraging call-to-arms letter to members of the Allied Forces

“You are about to embark upon the great crusade toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. Good luck and let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking,” said Eisenhower.

The battle of Normandy lasted from June 1944 to August 1944. This historic invasion was one of the largest air, land, and sea invasions ever executed and required extensive planning. Prior to D-Day, the Allied conducted a large deception campaign designed to mislead the Germans about the intended invasion target. By the end of August 1944, all of northern France had been liberated, effectively concluding the Battle of Normandy and by the following spring the Allies had defeated the Germans. Many casualties did occur and around 10,000 were wounded, but due to planning and preparation, and due to valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of the Allied Forces, Fortress Europe had been breached. The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.

73 years later, we still honor the men and women of the Allied armed forces who made this victory possible. This D-Day, remember the sacrifice and bravery shown by men and women who stormed the beaches to overthrow the Nazis and appreciate the liberty it afforded us.