The National WWII Museum Commemorates D-Day 70
As the world comes together to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, The National WWII Museum, which originally opened as The National D-Day Museum in 2000, will honor, educate and reflect both in New Orleans and abroad.
All activities are included with admission unless indicated otherwise. All events are subject to change.
This 70th Anniversary of D-Day commemoration is brought to you with support from The American Legion Ed Brauner Post #307.
Can’t join us in New Orleans? Follow the story of D-Day as told though the Museum’s collection of artifacts images and oral histories with our timeline.
Friday, June 6, 2014 in New Orleans
The US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center will open at 6:00 am on June 6. All other Museum Pavilions will open at 7:30 am, closing at 8:00 pm.
Andrew Higgins Drive between Camp and Magazine Streets will be closed to all traffic on June 6, 2014 from 6:00 am-5:00 pm. Please adjust your route accordingly.
6:30 am – 7:15 am
H-Hour Ceremony
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
Join us for an emotional commemoration of the Allied landings at Normandy with James Carville at the exact time of the invasion including a presentation of D-Day veteran oral histories from the Museum’s collection. This event is free and open to the public.
8:00 am-9:30 am
Lecture and Book Signing – Dr. Lyle W. Dorsett, “The Soul Needs Training Too”: Military Chaplains Help Prepare Troops for Operation Overlord
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
Dr. Dorsett, author of Serving God and Country: United States Military Chaplains in World War II, will explore the role of chaplains at D-Day.
8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Beyond All Boundaries
The Solomon Victory Theater
This exclusive 4D film, produced and narrated by Tom Hanks, features dazzling effects, CGI animation, multi-layered environments and first-person accounts from the trenches to the Home Front read by Brad Pitt, Tobey Maguire, Gary Sinise, Patricia Clarkson, Wendell Pierce and more. This film will show every hour on the hour with a final screening at 7:00 pm.
Purchase Tickets
8:00 am – 7:35 pm
Final Mission: The USS Tang Experience
The US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
Relive the last epic battle of the USS Tang, the most successful submarine in World War II for its fifth and final war patrol. This experience will run every 15, 35, and 55 after the hour with the final showing at 7:35 pm.
Purchase Tickets
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
D-Day Briefings
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
Museum historians and curators will report on the action at Normandy throughout the day, allowing visitors to follow the progress of the Allies.
D-Day Remembered
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion: Forbes Theater
Experience the news of D-Day as those on the Home Front did through newsreels and film footage of the day.
Oral History Showcase: Stories of D-Day Veterans
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion: H. Mortimer Favrot Orientation Center
Hear first-person accounts of the day with video oral histories of D-Day veterans from the Museum’s collection.
Living History Corps
Battle Barksdale Parade Ground
Museum artifacts will be on display as WWII reenactors wearing the uniforms and carrying the equipment of both the Allied and Axis forces share their knowledge about the day-to-day lives of military men and women and the broader lessons of World War II.
Higgins Boat Tours
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
An extremely rare opportunity, visitors will be allowed to board the Museum LCVP or “Higgins Boat” as a curator explains the craft’s role in the D-Day invasion.
Rockwall Adventure
Battle Barksdale Parade Ground
Kids can enjoy a rockwall adventure while Museum staff share the story of the legendary Pointe du Hoc Rangers at D-Day.
Normandy Beaches Diorama
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
“What Does D-Day Mean to You?”
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
Share your thoughts on the lessons and legacy of D-Day. Select comments will be shared on the Museum’s Blog.
10:00 am – 10:30 am
US Marine Corps Brass Quintet Performance
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
A military band will perform a selection of anthems, patriotic songs and marching music.
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
D-Day Ceremony
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
This commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day will include a very special presentation of the French Legion of Honor to a number of WWII veterans who helped liberate France from Nazi rule. Additionally, the ceremony will feature representatives from the Museum, Allied countries, veterans, and a local student who will honor the memory of a New Orleans soldier who lost his life on D-Day with performances by Sharon Turrentine, the Museum’s Victory Belles, and the Military Band.
12:00 pm
Museum Birthday Celebration
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
We take a moment to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the Museum’s grand opening on June 6, 2000, with an annual tradition of birthday cupcakes.
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Hands-On History
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
Visitors will be able to pick up and try on original and reproduction helmets, uniforms, boots, packs and other personal equipment used by American, British and German soldiers on D-Day.
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
D-Day Veterans Panel Discussion
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
A panel of D-Day veterans will share their first-hand experiences.
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Performance – The Victory Belles
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
The Museum’s Victory Belles will perform patriotic favorites for visitors.
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Lecture – “The Critical Factor: Weather on D-Day”
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
Damon Singleton, New Orleans meteorologist and retired Navy, gives a talk on why bad weather pushed back the original date of D-Day. The lecture includes, from the Museum’s own collection, a German weather chart from June 6, 7, and 8, 1944 that predicted the weather would be bad and no invasion was expected.
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Lecture and Book Signing – Dr. John C. McManus, The Dead and Those About to Die
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
Acclaimed historian, Dr. John C. McManus shares the harrowing story of the famed Big Red One and their role in the assault on Omaha Beach in his newly released book.
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The Andrews Brothers
Stage Door Canteen
Mistaken identities, madcap comedy, romance and musical treasures fill this sweet and hilarious show. It’s 1943 in the South Pacific and, tonight, The Andrews Sisters headline the big USO show. But when a flu outbreak quarantines the girls, stagehands Max, Lawrence and Patrick, along with pin-up girl Peggy Jones, hatch a plan to save the day! Add spectacular dining by Chef John Besh and the American Sector restaurant for the ultimate experience!
Purchase Tickets
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Baton Rouge Concert Band Performance
Battle Barksdale Parade Ground
A 60-piece band will perform a selection of anthems, patriotic songs and marching music.
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Outdoor Film Screening – Band of Brothers, Episodes 1 & 2
Battle Barksdale Parade Ground
This free film screening includes the first two episodes of the award-winning HBO miniseries Band of Brothers shown outdoors in the shadow of the US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center. Showtime is at 8:00 pm. The American Sector will be on hand with food and beverage available for purchase. No outside refreshments will be allowed. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. Seating is first-come-first-serve. This event is free and open to the public.
RSVP
Saturday, June 7, 2014 in New Orleans
Exhibits will open at 9:00 am on June 7, closing at 5:00 pm.
Andrew Higgins Drive between Camp and Magazine Streets will be closed to all traffic on June 7, 2014 from 8:00 am-5:00 pm. Please adjust your route accordingly.
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
D-Day Remembered
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion: Forbes Theater
Experience the news of D-Day as those on the Home Front did through newsreels and film footage of the day.
Living History Corps
Battle Barksdale Parade Ground
Museum artifacts will be on display as WWII reenactors wearing the uniforms and carrying the equipment of both the Allied and Axis forces share their knowledge about the day-to-day lives of military men and women and the broader lessons of World War II.
Higgins Boat Tours
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
An extremely rare opportunity, visitors will be allowed to board the Museum LCVP or “Higgins Boat” as a curator explains the craft’s role in the D-Day invasion.
Rockwall Adventure
Battle Barksdale Parade Ground
Kids can enjoy a rockwall adventure while Museum staff share the story of the legendary Pointe du Hoc Rangers at D-Day.
“What Does D-Day Mean to You?”
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
Share your thoughts on the lessons and legacy of D-Day. Select comments will be shared on the Museum’s Blog.
Oral History Showcase: Stories of D-Day Veterans
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion: H. Mortimer Favrot Orientation Center
Hear first-person accounts of the day with video oral histories of D-Day veterans from the Museum’s collection.
Normandy Beaches Diorama
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Baton Rouge Concert Band Performance
Battle Barksdale Parade Ground
A 60-piece band will perform a selection of anthems, patriotic songs and marching music.
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Lecture and Book Signing – Dr. John C. McManus
US Freedom Pavilion
Acclaimed historian Dr. John C. McManus will discuss the actions that occurred at Normandy following D-Day.
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Lecture and Book Signing – “An Epic of Spiritual Heroism”: The Role of Combat Chaplains in WWII by Dr. Lyle W. Dorsett
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
Dr. Dorsett, author of Serving God and Country: United States Military Chaplains in World War II, will explore the role of chaplains at D-Day.
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
D-Day Memory Panel with Dr. Günter Bischof, Dr. John McManus and Dr. Michael Dolski, moderated by Dr. Keith Huxen
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
This panel discussion of premier historians explores the memory of D-Day from the French, American and German perspectives.
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Hands-on History
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
Visitors will be able to pick up and try on original and reproduction helmets, uniforms, boots, packs and other personal equipment used by American, British and German soldiers on D-Day.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
70th Anniversary of D-Day Documentary: Beaches of Red
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion: H. Mortimer Favrot Orientation Center
Beaches of Red is a documentary produced by the Department of Defense covering the development and deployment of Higgins landing craft during World War II. It begins with a historical overview of the circumstances necessitating the development of landing craft, follows the development of Higgins boats, looks at their use at Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Normandy, and concludes with a look at how landing craft technology continues to influence amphibious tactics.
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
“On That Day – D-Day Experiences”
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
Local students pay tribute to the Allied troops of D-Day and offer translations from local French citizens who witnessed history.
At Normandy
Guests on the Museum’s sold-out 70th Anniversary of D-Day Cruise will attend the official commemoration of the anniversary of D-Day at the American Cemetery. Along with witnessing the ceremony, the group will pay private respects and walk the hallowed grounds where 9,387 Americans are buried.
Special guests on the tour include WWII veterans, Tom Brokaw, Rick Atkinson, Rob Citino, Donald L. Miller and more.
Find out more about unique travel opportunities with America’s WWII Museum at ww2museumtours.org.
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