Remembering D-Day and the Battle of Normandy 80 years later

The D-Day landings of 6 June 1944 was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Along with the associated airborne operations, it marked the beginning of the liberation of France and western Europe.

Four years ago our nation and empire stood alone against an overwhelming enemy, with our backs to the wall. . . . Now once more a supreme test has to be faced. This time the challenge is not to fight to survive but to fight to win the final victory for the good cause. . . .
At this historic moment surely not one of us is too busy, too young, or too old to play a part in a nation-wide, perchance a world-wide vigil of prayer as the great crusade sets forth.
—King George VI, radio address, 6 June 1944.

Casualties
Different estimates of the number of people killed are available, but the National Army Museum has the following figures:
Omaha: 32,000 US troops landed, 3,000 died
Juno: 21,000 Canadian troops landed, 1,000 died 
Sword: 29,000 British troops landed, 650 died
Gold: 25,000 British troops landed, 450 died
Utah: 23,000 US troops landed, 200 died
Wounded on all beaches: More than 5,000

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