WWII EXPLAINED · QUICK ANSWER
When Was D-Day? Normandy, June 6, 1944
The short answer: D-Day was June 6, 1944, when Allied forces landed in German-occupied Normandy, France. It was the opening day of the Normandy invasion.
What happened?
American, British, Canadian and other Allied forces landed on five beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. Airborne troops also landed inland. Nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed in Normandy on the first day.
Why was D-Day important?
The landings established an Allied foothold in Western Europe. They did not end the war in one day: the Normandy campaign continued through the summer, while the Soviet Union fought Germany on the Eastern Front.
Key dates
| June 6, 1944 | Allied landings in Normandy |
| June 27, 1944 | Allies capture Cherbourg |
| August 1944 | Allied breakout and liberation of Paris |
“D-Day” is a general military term, but in popular usage it usually refers to June 6, 1944.
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