June 6, 1944
New York on D-Day
As the "Great Crusade" begins, New Yorkers wait in suspense
People in Times Square watch the news ticker on the New York Times building.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
At 6:30 a.m. London time on Tuesday, June 6, 1944, the German news agency DNB issued the first reports that thousands of Allied paratroopers were touching down near the mouth of the Seine River, with fierce fighting near the city of Caen.
When the sun rose in New York City, thousands of troops had already landed on the beaches of Normandy and had been fighting for hours. The Daily News proclaimed in bold lettering, “INVASION BEGINS.”
A special 6 a.m. edition of the New York Times carried the first terse communique from the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force.
Image: Library of Congress
People gather in Times Square to watch the news ticker on the New York Times building.
Image: Library of Congress
Further accounts trickled in, including one from a correspondent who had ridden along in a C-47 transport plane and watched as the first groups of paratroopers leapt out into darkness and sporadic fire.
The Normandy landings were the largest seaborne invasion in history, and came almost exactly four years after the Allies were driven from Western Europe in the evacuation of Dunkirk — a painful memory still fresh in the minds of those watching and waiting for news.
In churches and synagogues across Manhattan, people bowed their heads in prayer, while in Times Square, crowds craned their necks to watch the latest reports creep across the electronic ticker on the New York Times building.
The New York Stock Exchange observed two minutes of silence and thousands gathered in Madison Square for a rally led by Mayor Fiorello La Guardia.
Worshippers enter a synagogue on 23rd Street for a special D-Day service.
Image: Library of Congress
The packed noon mass at St. Vincent de Paul's church.
Image: Library of Congress
Worshippers pray at noon mass at St. Vincent de Paul's church on 23rd Street.
Image: Library of Congress
A woman prays at St. Vincent de Paul's church on 23rd Street.
Image: Library of Congress
Worshippers outside St. Vincent de Paul's church.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Crowds gather in Madison Square.
Image: Library of Congress
Thousands gather for a rally in Madison Square.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
A speaker addresses the rally in Madison Square.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
A speaker addresses the crowds in Madison Square.
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Image: Library of Congress
Children salute the French flag at a French school in Manhattan.
Image: Library of Congress
A girl tends a victory garden at a school on 1st Avenue.
Image: Library of Congress
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