Photos: 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion

A piper plays a lament as British landing craft near shore at Gold Beach on Friday as part of 70th-anniversary observances of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. (Christopher Furlong / Getty Images)

June 6, 2014 12:59 PM PT

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June 6, 2014, is the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, which saw 156,000 troops from the allied countries, including Britain and the United States, launch an audacious attack on the beaches of Normandy, France. These assaults are credited with the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany.

People walk on the beach Friday in Arromanches-les-Bains, Normandy, where reminders of the D-Day invasion remain. (Thomas Bregardis / AFP/Getty Images)

Norwegian World War II veterans are welcomed as they arrive for a joint commemoration ceremony in Hermanville-sur-Mer, Normandy. (Jean-Francois Monier / AFP/Getty Images)

Temporary crosses erected on the beach in commemoration of soldiers who died 70 years ago are washed away at during D-Day commemorations near Bayeux, France. (Matt Cardy / Getty Images)

British veteran Fred Glover, who served as a paratrooper on D-Day, watches a parachute drop at Ranville, France. (Andy Rain / EPA)

Visitors walk aboard World War II landing craft on the beach in Normandy. (Joel Saget / AFP/Getty Images)

World War II ships host visitors prior to the start of D-Day commemoration ceremonies.

(Jean-Sebastien Evrard / AFP/Getty Images)

Michel Colas and his grandsons, Samuel Colas, left, and Rafael Schneider, visit the Normandy American Cemetery. (Win McNamee / Getty Images)

Joseph Kellsey, 91, who stormed Sword Beach with the British marines on D-Day, acknowledges applause as he walks on the beach at Arrowmanches-Les-Bains, France. (Matt Cardy / Getty Images)

Reenactors in World War II-style British uniforms stand in front of Union Jacks planted on Gold Beach, where British troops landed on June 6, 1944. (Joel Saget / AFP/Getty Images)

Colored smoke fills the air as World War II veterans stand at attention with their families during an international D-Day commemoration ceremony on the beach of Ouistreham, Normandy.

(Ian Langsdon / AFP/Getty Images)