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On This Day in History: The Liberation of Paris
What Happened On August 20
On this day in 1944, some two months after the Allied invasion of Normandy, Paris was liberated from German occupiers.
Today's Trivia
- What was the codename for the Allied invasion of Normandy?
- Who was the Supreme Allied Commander during the Normandy invasion?
- How many days did the Battle of Normandy last?
Birthdays
- 1917: Jackie Robinson, American baseball player who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball
- 1948: Robert Plant, English rock singer (Led Zeppelin)
- 1968: David Schwimmer, American actor (Friends)
Events
- 1689: The Siege of Derry begins in Ireland.
- 1866: The Battle of Lissa is fought between Italy and Austria-Hungary.
- 1940: Leon Trotsky is assassinated in Mexico City.
- 1968: The Soviet Union invades Czechoslovakia.
- 1977: The Voyager 2 space probe is launched from Earth.
Daily Puzzles
Daily Quotes
- “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela
- “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
- “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Conclusion
The liberation of Paris was a major turning point in World War II. It marked the beginning of the end of the German occupation of France and helped to boost the morale of the Allies.