ADAMS COUNTY, Pennsylvania — June 6, 2024, marks 80 years since the D-Day invasion on the beaches of Normandy. It is the largest naval, air and land operation in history.
Most historians see it as the beginning of the end of World War II.
In Gettysburg, historians are commemorating the 80th anniversary with several educational events.
At the Eisenhower National Historic Site, they began with a Naturalization Ceremony on the grounds of the Eisenhower home.
Jason Martz, the communications specialist for Eisenhower NHS, said the reason behind having this ceremony here is something "full circle."
"In Europe, on this day 80 years ago, General Dwight D. Eisenhower led all the United States armed forces and invaded France against Nazi, Germany. So, this is a very important day in United States history but when you really think about it, what were they fighting for...they were fighting for ultimately the freedoms, the democracy of European countries and that's really what we're trying to do here."
Different types of interactive programs will be happening from June 6 through June 9 including house tours of the Eisenhower home, family activities, special ranger programs on-site and in the Gettysburg National Cemetery, as well as World War II living history displays on Saturday and Sunday.
According to Martz, 13 soldiers who died on D-Day are buried in the Gettysburg National Cemetery.
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