The City Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings and invasion of Normandy during World War II.
Page updated on June 10, 2024 at 1:03 PM
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The City Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of D-Day

Poster for 80 D-Day

World War II Reenactors! 1940s Jazz Band! Swing Dancers! Children’s Activities! Fife and Drum Corps! FREE! All these and more will highlight Alexandria's Annual D-Day Commemoration.

This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings and invasion of Normandy during World War II. It is the 14th annual such commemoration, planned and executed by the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee. The city of Caen, in France, was the center of some of the heaviest fighting after the Allies landed on the nearby beaches that marked the beginning of the end of World War II.

Photo Gallery

Revolutionary War reenactors in front of WWII veterans
WWII reenactor with equipment
Exhibit table with uniforms
Exhibit table with uniforms
Office of Historic Alexandria table
Alexandria Sister Cities Committee table
Purple Heart Recipients table
National Museum of the United States Army table
Naval History and Heritage Command table
Friends of the National WWII Memorial table
Uniforms and equipment
Jeep parked in front of Market Square
Musician with base
Singer and musician
The band in front of City Hall
Swing dancers
Swing dancers
Swing dancers
Swing dancers and child
Swing dancers
Swing dancers
Stage, swing dancers, audience
Town Crier
Town crier and digneteries on stage
Military officers
Speaker at podium
Speaker at podium
Speaker at podium
Child in helmet
Child on field phone
Making crepes
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Grid View Close Modal
Revolutionary War reenactors in front of WWII veterans
WWII reenactor with equipment
Exhibit table with uniforms
Exhibit table with uniforms
Office of Historic Alexandria table
Alexandria Sister Cities Committee table
Purple Heart Recipients table
National Museum of the United States Army table
Naval History and Heritage Command table
Friends of the National WWII Memorial table
Uniforms and equipment
Jeep parked in front of Market Square
Musician with base
Singer and musician
The band in front of City Hall
Swing dancers
Swing dancers
Swing dancers
Swing dancers and child
Swing dancers
Swing dancers
Stage, swing dancers, audience
Town Crier
Town crier and digneteries on stage
Military officers
Speaker at podium
Speaker at podium
Speaker at podium
Child in helmet
Child on field phone
Making crepes

D-Day Commemoration, Sunday June 2

Sunday, June 2, 2024
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Market Square
301 King Street

The program will include live period swing music by Modern Swing Collective, WWII reenactors, swing dancers, history displays, community tables, performances by the U.S. Army Fife and Drum Corps and the Alexandria Citizens Band. A short formal ceremony with the mayor and city officials, military and embassy representatives for Allied nations. French crêpes will be available for purchase by “Crêpes by C” and Lost Boy Cider will have cider for sale.

The event is made possible through the generous support of Alexandria Toyota, Mr. and Mrs. Doug John, Alexandria Radio Club, Your Hobby Place, Kona Ice, and Wegmans.

Lecture: How Patton's Ghost Army Beat Hitler

Thursday, June 6, 2024
7 p.m.
Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum
201 S. Washington Street
Ticket, $10 from The Alexandria Shop

A second D-Day program will take place on the actual 80th anniversary of D-Day. U.S. Army Historian, Dr. Kim Bernard Holien will present on “How Patton’s Ghost Army Beat Hitler.” Wine and dessert reception to follow the lecture.

Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee

The Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee, now chaired by Angelique Moss, was started in 1990. As part of Alexandria’s participation in Sister Cities International, the Alexandria-Caen Sister City Committee promotes educational and cultural exchanges between Alexandria, Virginia and Caen, France.

Former chair and current committee member, Jennifer Reading, is overseeing the organization of the D-Day commemoration.