D-Day on June 6, 1944 marked the beginning of the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany by the Allied forces (US, Great Britain, Canada, France). Scores of heads of state and government from around the world were expected Thursday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings in World War II.
In addition to US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also participate in the 80th anniversary celebrations.
Macron, together with dozens of veterans in Plumelec in Brittany, commemorated the soldiers who launched the military operation ‘Operation Overlord’ on the night of 5 to 6 June 1944.
Biden meets with veterans
The commemoration is organized on the beach in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer on the so-called Omaha Beach and lasts until Friday. Speeches from Joe Biden are also planned on the dangers of isolationism and the need to rise up against dictators. Biden also meets with some veterans who took part in the Normandy invasion.
Zelenskyj in France for two days
While in Normandy, Biden will also speak with Ukrainian President Zelenskiy about Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russian aggression, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said. Another face-to-face meeting between the two is planned next week at the summit of the seven major Western industrialized countries (G-7) in Italy. President Macron wants to receive the Ukrainian on Friday at the Élysée in Paris.
On June 6, 1944, Allied soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy, opening the Western Front against Nazi Germany. The landing is considered one of the most important turning points in World War II and contributed significantly to the Allied victory. But D-Day also represents inhuman bloodshed, tens of thousands of dead and wounded.
At the time, the Allied forces consisted mainly of Americans, British, Canadians, Poles and French. About 3,100 landing craft carrying more than 150,000 soldiers made their way to northern France.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
