Photos from the eightieth anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France

Eighty years ago, Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy in France during World War II, an event that might turn out to be referred to as D-Day. The surprise invasion ultimately led to the liberation of Nazi-occupied Europe and the tip of the war itself, which ended just over a yr later.

Heads of state from everywhere in the world have traveled to France in recent days to commemorate the eightieth anniversary of the landing.

US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, British King Charles III and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky attended a US ceremony on the American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, on Thursday, together with other well-known figures equivalent to “Saving Private Ryan” star Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg. The ceremony included speeches, a 21-gun salute, flyovers and the Playing military bugle signals.

Around 150 American veterans The soldiers who participated within the landing were also expected to attend the ceremony. An American veteran, Robert “Al” Persichitti from New York, died on the best way for the memorial service. He was 102 years old.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Prince William also attended a separate Canadian commemoration ceremony near the village of Courseulles-sur-Mer in northwestern France.

Here are some scenes from the commemorations.