US Army Photo
- Thursday marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion — one of the biggest moments in World War II and a turning point in the fight against Nazi Germany.
- On June 6, 1944, roughly 160,000 troops landed in Normandy, France, as part of the largest amphibious invasion in world history.
- On that day, and in the seven and half decades since, world leaders have delivered legendary speeches about D-Day — including on the blood-stained beaches where it occurred.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Thursday marks 75 years since D-Day, when Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy during World War II.
On June 6, 1944, roughly 160,000 troops landed in Normandy, France, on five beaches with the code names Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.
D-Day involved astonishing coordination between Allied forces. Over 13,000 paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines before daybreak. At approximately 6:30 am, the first wave of assault troops hit the beach.
It was one of the most important moments in the war and represented the largest amphibous invasion in world history. D-Day marked a turning point in the fight against Nazi Germany, which would surrender less than a year later in May 1945.
But it was by no means an easy victory, and cost many lives along the way: roughly 22,000 Allied troops were killed or wounded on June 6 alone.
On that day, and in the seven and half decades since, world leaders have delivered legendary speeches about D-Day — including on the blood-stained beaches where it occurred.
Here are five of the most powerful speeches on D-Day.
In a national radio broadcast on June 6, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Americans to join him in prayer for Allied forces: "They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate."
US Army Photo
General Dwight Eisenhower, supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces who would later become president of the US, delivered remarks to US soldiers on June 5, 1944, to encourage them before heading into battle: "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. The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you."
Associated Press
In the tense days of the Cold War, President Ronald Reagan on June 6, 1984, commemorated the 40th anniversary of D-Day with a powerful speech at the site of the invasion: "One’s country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it’s the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man."
US Army at Flickr
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See Also:
- He parachuted into Nazi-occupied France as a 22-year-old American soldier. 75 years later, he did it again.
- The 4 most dangerous missions American troops carried out on D-Day, 75 years ago
- 3 unsung World War II female spies who helped make D-Day a victory
SEE ALSO: It’s been 75 years since D-Day: Here’s how the Allies began to reclaim Europe from the Nazis
Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (John Haltiwanger)