The date June 6 seemed like any other insignificant summer day, but perhaps some remembered it as more. You see, June 6, 1944 was D-Day (D-day was just a term used to mean the beginning of an operation). It was the day where over 150,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of heavily occupied Normandy, France to open a long awaited second front and begin to liberate Europe from Nazi control. Though D-Day lasted only one day the larger operation it was a part of, known as the Battle of Normandy, lasted until late August of that year.

The casualties were heavy on both sides. The official number of Allied casualties remains unknown as the circumstances then did not exactly allow for diligent record keeping, but it is estimated that at least 10,000 were wounded or killed on D-Day alone. The allied death toll is estimated to be anywhere from 2,500 to more than 4,000.It is so strange how the anniversaries of days such as these, and there are many, are so easily forgotten. Oh, we’ve all heard of these occasions and battles in elementary school, but it seems like with each passing year, the impact of them fades from our memories. It’s true, we cannot possibly remember everything that has happened, for everyday is important, but perhaps every once in a while a few events could use some remembering.