The Normandy landings, the opening phase of Operation Overlord, were the largest seaborne invasion in history, launched to open a second front against Nazi Germany in western Europe. Allied troops from the United States, Britain and Canada, together with contingents from other countries, came ashore on five beaches code-named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword, after airborne forces had been dropped inland during the night. Resistance was especially fierce at Omaha, where casualties were heavy. Supreme commander Dwight Eisenhower had overseen months of preparation, including deception plans that persuaded the Germans to expect an attack elsewhere. The Allies broke out in the summer and liberated Paris in August.
Before and after
- 7 April 1944Birth of Gerhard Schröder
- 14 May 1944Birth of George Lucas
- from 18 May 1944 to 20 May 1944Deportation of the Crimean Tatars
- from June 1944 to September 1944Operation Frantic
- from 6 June 1944 to 29 August 1944Normandy landings
- from 6 June 1944 to 1 July 1944Invasion of Normandy
- from 6 June 1944 to 30 June 1944Battle of Cherbourg
- from 6 June 1944 to 6 August 1944Battle for Caen
- from 6 June 1944 to 25 August 1944Operation Overlord
More in Wars, politics & history
- from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918World War I
- 16 May 1916Sykes–Picot Agreement
- from February 1919 to March 1921Polish–Soviet War
- 4 June 1920Treaty of Trianon
- 24 July 1923Treaty of Lausanne
- from 1 September 1939 to 2 September 1945World War II
The era
This moment belongs to the Modern era (1914 CE to 1945 CE), world wars and a changing world. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.