Commemorating a Historic Event
On June 6, President Andrzej Duda joined global leaders to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. This significant event saw a large participation of Polish soldiers. The commemorations took place on Omaha Beach in France.
Global Attendance
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife welcomed President Duda. Among the attendees were U.S. President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prince William, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Around 200 World War II veterans were also present.
Honoring Polish Soldiers
Earlier, President Duda paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the Polish war cemetery in Urville-Langannerie, where 696 Polish soldiers, mainly from General Stanisław Maczek’s 1st Armored Division, are buried. These soldiers played a crucial role in the 1944 battles in France, including the famous Battle of Falaise.
Historical Impact
The D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, marked the largest amphibious operation in war history, initiating a pivotal phase in World War II, forcing Germany into a desperate defense on three fronts.