Gateshead will pay its own poignant tribute on Thursday 6 June, as the country marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day – a military operation that proved a turning point in the Second World War and brought about the liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation.
The D-Day landings in 1944 were the largest military naval, air and land operation ever attempted, seeing over 5,000 ships and landing craft set down more than 130,000 troops on five separate beaches in Normandy, France.
To mark the occasion, we are raising a specially commissioned flag outside the Civic Centre to pay homage to all those brave men and women of many nations whose courage and sacrifice helped secure the peace and freedom we enjoy today.
The Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Kath McCartney, said
“The courage of all those who landed on the beaches of Normandy on that momentous day in 1944 is hard to imagine.
“Sadly, with the passage of time, there are fewer and fewer D-Day veterans still with us, so I hope this small commemoration demonstrates how keen we are to remember their selfless heroic deeds.”
Our libraries service are also hosting a number of events to mark the occasion:
D-Day 80th Anniversary Exhibition
An exhibition by Birtley Heritage Group running from Tuesday 4 to Friday 28 June at Birtley Library, telling the stories of D-Day and the part it played in World War II. Free to enter and suitable for all ages.
D-Day at 80 – An Illustrated talk
Drop by Birtley Library on 6 June at 2pm and hear about the story of the D-Day landings and their place in the liberation of France as the Allies push onwards into Germany. Free and suitable for adults only.
Digital Collection Day: Preserving Stories and Objects of the Second World War
If you have any Second World War related stories and objects passed down to you from your parents, grandparents and other family members? We invite you to preserve these stories and objects, digitally, so they can be shared with future generations.
Bring your letters, photos, memories, objects or stories about your family’s wartime experience to Gateshead Central Library between 1 and 1.45pm on Thursday 6 June, where a member of our team will record your treasured belongings and add them to the Gateshead Archives Collections.
Please do not bring any weapons or potentially dangerous objects.
Items can be accepted on later days by appointment.
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