History glossary
D-Day
the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944 that opened a major Western Front against Nazi Germany.
- Category
- Military operation
- Region
- Western Europe
- Date range
- 6 June 1944
What it means
D-Day usually refers to 6 June 1944, when Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in Operation Overlord. The landings opened a major Western Front, began the liberation of France, and increased pressure on Nazi Germany from both west and east.
Related terms
Stories using this term
D-Day and the Liberation of Europe
From Operation Overlord to the Rhine crossing, this story traces how the western Allies opened a decisive front, liberated occupied Europe, and helped defeat Nazi Germany.
The Second World War
From fragile peace to global war, WWII reshaped the world through conflict, genocide, and new power orders.
Origins of the Cold War
From the Grand Alliance to the Truman Doctrine, this story traces how the United States and Soviet Union shifted from wartime cooperation to global confrontation.
