Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will remain as leader of the Conservative Party despite skipping an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Sunak apologized for his absence, but has faced criticism from within his own party. Labour leads the Tories by more than 20 points in the polls, and two large-scale analyses predict a historic majority for Labour next month.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has drawn parallels between former President Donald Trump and Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, warning that democracy is at stake in the upcoming presidential election. Clinton’s comments come on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, which she used to highlight the importance of protecting democracy. The Trump campaign dismissed her claims, calling Clinton a ‘stone-cold loser’ and accusing her of trying to stay relevant. Biden, seeking re-election, has consistently attacked Trump as a threat to democracy, while Trump has defended his actions as protecting election integrity.
As world leaders gather in Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a dwindling number of veterans from the Greatest Generation will make their final pilgrimage to the battlefields that shaped their lives. These men, now in their late 90s and early 100s, will return to the beaches and fields where they fought valiantly against Nazi forces, paying tribute to the fallen and honoring their own sacrifices. Their stories, preserved through interviews and documentaries, serve as a testament to the courage and determination of those who fought for freedom and democracy.
Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 arrived in New York City after a seven-day voyage across the North Atlantic, carrying the Eternal Flame to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. The flame, which has burned since 1923 at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris, symbolizes the sacrifices of those who fought in World War II.
In 1944, Leroy Henry, a 30-year-old African American soldier, was sentenced to death by a US military court for allegedly raping a British woman. The sentence sparked a massive public outcry in Britain, and within a week, a petition with over 33,000 signatures was submitted to the US government demanding clemency for Henry. The petition was successful, and Henry’s sentence was overturned. This story sheds light on the racial tensions between British and American servicemen during World War II, as well as the growing power of the British public in the lead-up to D-Day.
British Army veteran Bill Gladden, who participated in the iconic D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, passed away at the age of 100. Gladden was part of a dwindling group of WWII veterans and had expressed a strong desire to return to France for the 80th anniversary of the invasion to honor his fallen comrades. Despite his determination, Gladden’s health, weakened by cancer, prevented him from making the trip. The veteran’s story and legacy serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought in WWII and the importance of remembering their contribution to history.
British army veteran Bill Gladden, who survived a glider landing on D-Day and a bullet that tore through his ankle, has passed away at the age of 100. Despite his weakened health, Gladden was determined to return to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of the invasion to pay tribute to his fallen comrades. Gladden’s passing marks a poignant reminder of the dwindling number of veterans who took part in the historic operation that paved the way for the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation during World War II.
