Thursday, June 6, 2024 is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, also known as Operation Overlord. One of the most pivotal operations of World War II, this Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France set the stage for the eventual defeat of the Axis powers. Without the bravery of those men who faced German bullets as they came ashore on the beaches of Normandy, France, the world might be a very different place.
There are many historical sites where you can learn about the history of this important day – some overseas and some may even be at a museum or historical site near you.
France
Of course, the best place to learn about D-Day is where it actually happened on the shores of Normandy. Check out my review from our trip there (we toured as a day trip from Paris). There are so many sites to see, it’s impossible to see them all in one trip unless you spend a week there! I highly recommend hiring a local company as a tour guide to make the most of your visit (we used Overlord Tour).
Here are a few of the highlights:
You can walk on the sand that once held the blood, sweat, and tears of the Allied troops as they stormed the beach against the German bunkers. It’s a reverent place, knowing how many gave their lives on these very shores for our freedom. We saw Omaha Beach on our trip where two-thirds of the American troops arrived. Here are some great suggestions of ways to see the beaches with kids.
One of the most meaningful sites I’ve visited, this is the final resting place for many of the men who gave their lives during the D-Day operations. It overlooks the beaches and is a solemn place of remembrance and honor.
Each little town seems to have its own museum about D-Day. I think it’s more important to see the actual sites, but if you want to see a museum, the main one can be found in Bayeux, the Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum. The D-Day Experience Museum and the Overlord Museum also look amazing for kids. For plane enthusiasts, check out the Airborne Museum.
Many German batteries (bunkers) are open for touring. We visited the ones at Longues-sur-Mer, and it was so atmospheric. They are spread all along the coast and kids can climb on them and gaze out to England.
There are numerous memorials to the men who gave their lives throughout the area, too many to name here. One that we saw was the memorial to the Bedford men (a small town in Virginia who had the most casualties in D-Day percentage wise) in Vierville-sur-Mer. We also visited the memorial at Pointe du Hoc which was a pivotal site in the battle.
Towns
So many of these little French towns were pivotal in the operation and most have some sort of memorial, museum, or plaque to the troops. We found that the local people are still so happy to see Americans and are grateful for them to this day. The village I most want to visit is Sainte-Marie-du-Mont (look at this great article about it then and now) and Sainte-Mere-Eglise which was made famous by the paratrooper who was stuck on the church for hours in the fighting. We visited Bayeux which I highly recommend (be sure to see the Bayeux Tapestry while there).
There are so many sites to see in Normandy. Check out these websites for even more information to plan your trip:
https://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/discover/history/d-day-and-the-battle-of-normandy/
https://bayeux-bessin-tourisme.com/en/visits/places-of-interest
https://www.ot-baieducotentin.fr/en/exploring/normandy-landings-1944/d-day-normandy/
https://www.historyhit.com/guides/d-day-sites/
United Kingdom
While the D-Day operations took place in France, most of the planning happened in the United Kingdom. It was a staging ground for troops, planes, ships, and weapons as well as served as the home of hospitals and recuperation centers for the wounded soldiers returning. Check out this handy map for planning a trip.
South of London
This museum, located where many troops left England’s shores, is one of the best places to learn about the operation. There is even the last surviving landing craft tank to see! The exhibits take you through the planning, execution, and legacy of D-Day from all different perspectives and provide hands-on activities for children. One can only imagine what this area looked like 80 years ago!
Southwick
This little town just north of Portsmouth is where Eisenhower stayed during the operation. The village still hosts a special event each year to commemorate D-Day called Southwick Revival. In 2024, the tours include the underground headquarters at Fort Southwick. Southwick House is where Eisenhower actually made the decision to launch and is still operated by the military. Visitors can still see the actual map of the invasion!
It was here that the dress rehearsal for D-Day took place in front of Churchill and King George VI in April 1944. It’s near the little beach town of Swanage, which I have actually visited! Kids will love the Swanage Railway!
Castletown D-Day Centre, Isle of Portland
This museum is an authentic recreation of the busy wartime dockyard found here during D-Day. Thousands of American troops embarked on their journey to France from these very shores. It has lots of hands-on activities for kids!
This magnificent estate was made Southern Command’s headquarters in 1940 and housed Eisenhower during the planning of D-Day. It’s also where many movies and shows are filmed including Bridgerton! This is high on my list to visit!
Dover Castle is located on the white cliffs of the English shore closest to France. It was here that planning took place for the invasion, including hiding a signals center with a repeater station – code-named Q Dover – in the Dover Castle tunnels. The site was used mainly as a decoy to the Germans and was called Operation Fortitude South. The deception, which made them think the invasion would come from Dover, worked and kept critical reinforcements from being sent to Normandy. The castle can be visited, including the tunnels! I visited in college and still remember sitting on the guns mounted on the cliffs!
North of London
This is one of our favorite museums! Housed in a former RAF base near Cambridge, this museum contains many planes, tanks, jeeps, and other items from D-Day. You can even walk from a landing tank into the battle! Kids will love getting into the action.
London
This museum contains thousands of artifacts and items from D-Day and displays them in an easy-to-understand way. It’s a must-see on a trip to London!
See the actual bunker where Churchill worked on plans for the invasion. It is so atmospheric and makes you think Churchill himself just left a moment ago. It’s the best place to immerse yourself in the war operations.
This is the only British ship remaining from D-Day, and it supported troops landing at Gold and Juno beaches. Kids will love exploring its ladders and common centers, and don’t miss its special exhibits on its involvement in D-Day.
Check out this great blog for even more London D-Day sites!
United States
South
D-Day Memorial, Bedford, Virginia
The national memorial to honor the soldiers involved in D-Day is in a quiet little central Virginia town not near any big cities or interstates. It’s located here because Bedford had more casualties per capita than any other place in America on June 6, 1944. Twenty of the 44 soldiers from Bedford died that day. The memorial is a beautiful place to remember their sacrifice along with all of the brave men who marched into the hail of bullets. Read my review to plan your trip.
National WWII Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana
This museum dedicated to telling the whole story of WWII is a must-see while in NOLA. I could have spent hours here! Read my review before your visit.
Washington, DC area
The Washington, DC area has many museums and memorials to honor D-Day. My top recommendations are:
- WWII Memorial
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History
- Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
- National Air and Space museums – DC and VA
- National Museum of the US Army
North
Eisenhower National Historic Site, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The Eisenhower historic site is hosting many events for the 80th anniversary of the operation.
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
This museum honors all members of the military and has hosted special D-Day events in the past.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park New York
The presidential library and museum for President Franklin Roosevelt includes a recreated Map Room from WWII.
Midwest
The D-Day Ohio WWII Museum, Conneaut, Ohio
This museum focuses on those in the region who served at home and abroad during WWII with special exhibits on D-Day. It even hosts a “D-Day Conneaut” which recreates the events of June 6, 1944 every year!
National Museum of the United States Air Force, Riverside, Ohio
Learn about the airmen who provided advance cover for the coming ground troops at this museum.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas
Learn more about D-Day from Gen. Eisenhower’s perspective at his presidential museum. It also has several special events for the 80th anniversary.
West
Palm Springs Air Museum, Palm Springs, California
This museum has several aircraft from WWII.
Canada
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, Quebec
The Quebec Conference of 1943, known by its codename Quadrant, took place here in August, 1943. This is where Roosevelt and Churchill planned Operation Overlord – and left behind a briefcase with the full plans that was thankfully found by a friend not a foe!
D-Day is one of the most important operations of World War II, and with the 80th anniversary commemoration, we must thank the veterans who are still with us and remember those who sacrificed so much for our freedoms. May we never forget.
Books to Read
Check out my D-Day book list on Bookshop.org (affiliate link). This is just a small sampling of the hundreds of books written about this day!
