D-Day: a Turning Point in World History
On June 6, 1944, in the midst of the Second World War, the Allied forces brought in "the largest amphibious assault in the history of war."(World History Chronology) from various countries including Great Britain, the United States, and Canada stormed the beaches of
Normandy hoping to overthrow the German forces occupying France. Years of meticulous planning and seemingly endless training had finally come together to form the operation known as
D-Day, the invasion of Normandy. Many different operations and brilliant leaders helped to contribute to the victory at Normandy. D-Day was not only a turning point in the War, but it forever changed the course of history. For years, the entire world passively watched Adolf Hitler's rise to power. After the annexing of France other countries woke up to the reality that global domination by Germany was inevitable. The development of Germany's secret V1 and V2 rockets pressured the Allies to react quickly and reclaim a foothold in continental Europe. The fate of Western Europe lied in the hands of three men: Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin. Winston
Churchill (1874 - 1965) was Great Britain's greatest 20th Century statesman. Franklin
Roosevelt (1882 -1945), the thirty-second President of the United States, served longer than any other U.S. president and during his presidency faced the two greatest crises of American history: the Great Depression and World War II. Joseph Stalin (1879 - 1953), the secretary of the communist party in Russia, had a very strong influence in the reconstruction of Europe after
World War II. (Microsoft Encarta) President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill's first choice to lead the invasion of
Normandy was U.S. Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall who played an
important role in designing the overall American Military effort in Europe. After much consideration, Roosevelt decided that Marshall's presence in Washington was indispensable.
The Allies
Normandy hoping to overthrow the German forces occupying France. Years of meticulous planning and seemingly endless training had finally come together to form the operation known as
D-Day, the invasion of Normandy. Many different operations and brilliant leaders helped to contribute to the victory at Normandy. D-Day was not only a turning point in the War, but it forever changed the course of history. For years, the entire world passively watched Adolf Hitler's rise to power. After the annexing of France other countries woke up to the reality that global domination by Germany was inevitable. The development of Germany's secret V1 and V2 rockets pressured the Allies to react quickly and reclaim a foothold in continental Europe. The fate of Western Europe lied in the hands of three men: Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, and Joseph Stalin. Winston
Churchill (1874 - 1965) was Great Britain's greatest 20th Century statesman. Franklin
Roosevelt (1882 -1945), the thirty-second President of the United States, served longer than any other U.S. president and during his presidency faced the two greatest crises of American history: the Great Depression and World War II. Joseph Stalin (1879 - 1953), the secretary of the communist party in Russia, had a very strong influence in the reconstruction of Europe after
World War II. (Microsoft Encarta) President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill's first choice to lead the invasion of
Normandy was U.S. Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall who played an
important role in designing the overall American Military effort in Europe. After much consideration, Roosevelt decided that Marshall's presence in Washington was indispensable.
The Allies