Britons and Americans have been calling for D-Day to be made a national holiday as they urge politicians to acknowledge the bravery and sacrifice made by the Allied forces on June 6, 1944.
Social media users have for the last few days been urging Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer to acknowledge the turning point of World War II ahead of the 80th anniversary of the largest seaborne invasion in history.
The landings, also known as Operation Overlord, took place after five years of war with soldiers from the UK, the USA, Canada and other Allied countries landing on the beaches in Normandy in France in a bid to break through the German army’s defence.
D-Day is marked across Europe to pay tribute to the achievements and sacrifices of those who fought and died to liberate Europe during the Second World War.
Troops coming ashore during training exercises for the Allied D-Day invasion in 1943Getty
One user wrote on Twitter: D-Day is one of, if not the most important and significant dates in history for the UK and so many other countries.
“If any date deserves a Public Holiday, surely June 6 merits this honour.”
Another user said: “Why is D-Day not a national holiday? This country is a bloody disgrace not to recognise this most historic day.”
A third US user chipped in: “I wish D-Day was designated a holiday here in the United States.”
One more said: “D-Day should be a national holiday in the US.”
A fifth added: “D-Day absolutely does not get the attention it deserves. It should be a national holiday.
“Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, is probably as close as you can get to hell on earth. Unimaginable stuff.”
D-Day veterans are celebrating 80 years since the historic operationsPA
Another said: “Can’t help thinking we should scrap spring bank holiday in May and have a bank holiday on June 6 instead, to commemorate D-Day. I appreciate some years that day will fall on a weekend, but still.”
One more user proudly said: “I do think this Friday should also have been a holiday given it's the 80th anniversary of D-Day. My hometown was one of the launching points the Brits, Americans and Canadians used.”
An eighth person said: “D-Day should be made a national holiday for today's generation to appreciate the sacrifice of their forebearers.”
The comments come after GB News polling revealed less than half of Britons know D-Day refers to the beginning of the Allied liberation of Europe.
Only 47 per cent of respondents knew that D-Day marked the start of Allied operations which would ultimately liberate Western Europe and end the Second World War.
Eleven per cent of those polled thought that it referred to Nazi Germany’s surrender to the Allied forces, also known as VE Day or Victory in Europe Day.
Another 11 per cent thought D-Day referred to the UK evacuation of France, known as the Dunkirk evacuation.
Commenting on the results, Professor Matthew Goodwin, the director of People Polling, said: “While the small numbers in our sample should be treated with caution, only 31 per cent of 18-24-year-olds from Gen-Z correctly knew D-Day refers to the beginning of the Allied liberation of Europe.
“Inevitably, this will raise questions about the teaching of history and the extent to which we are cultivating a strong sense of history and understanding.”