It’s D-Day: Commemorating the Allied invasion of Normandy World War II. Let our experts help with your historical coverage

Jun 6, 2024

2 min




The anniversary of D-Day marks a pivotal moment in World War II, commemorating the bravery and sacrifice of the Allied forces who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. This event matters to the public as it honors the heroes who fought for freedom and underscores the enduring lessons of courage, strategy, and unity in the face of adversity. The significance of D-Day provides numerous compelling story angles for journalists to explore, appealing to a broad audience:


  • Firsthand accounts and personal stories of veterans who participated in the D-Day invasion
  • The strategic planning and execution of Operation Overlord, and its impact on the outcome of World War II
  • The role of international cooperation and the contributions of different Allied nations in the Normandy landings
  • The lasting legacy of D-Day on contemporary military tactics and international relations
  • Commemorative events and ceremonies honoring the fallen and preserving the memory of D-Day
  • Educational initiatives and resources for teaching younger generations about the importance of D-Day and World War II history


As we commemorate the anniversary of D-Day, journalists have an opportunity to delve into these multifaceted narratives, shedding light on the historical significance and lasting impact of this monumental event.


Connect with an Expert about D-Day and America's efforts in WWII:


Colin Rafferty

Associate Professor · University of Mary Washington


Marc Gallicchio, PhD

Professor and Mary M. Birle Chair in History | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences · Villanova University


Robert Taylor, Ph.D.

Dean | College of Psychology and Liberal Arts · Florida Tech


Patrick Jung, Ph.D.

Professor · Milwaukee School of Engineering


Kara Dixon Vuic

LCpl. Benjamin W. Schmidt Professor of War, Conflict, and Society in 20th-Century America · Texas Christian University


To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com




Photo credit: Joris Berthelot
Powered by

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from ExpertFile

ExpertSpotlight: From Ancient Spirits to Modern Scares: The Fascinating History of Halloween! featured image

2 min

ExpertSpotlight: From Ancient Spirits to Modern Scares: The Fascinating History of Halloween!

Every October, neighborhoods transform into haunted landscapes, pumpkins glow on front porches, and children dress as everything from witches to superheroes. But behind the costumes, candy and spooky decorations lies a celebration with roots stretching back more than 2,000 years. Halloween's origins are commonly traced to Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking the transition from the harvest season into winter. It was a time associated with the supernatural, when the boundary between the living and the dead was believed to grow especially thin. Over the centuries, Celtic traditions intersected with Christian observances, including All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. The evening before All Saints' Day became known as All Hallows' Eve — eventually shortened to Halloween. And those glowing jack-o'-lanterns? They weren't always pumpkins! In Ireland and Scotland, people traditionally carved turnips and other root vegetables. Pumpkins became the preferred choice as Halloween customs evolved in North America. Trick-or-treating, elaborate costumes and haunted attractions developed through a combination of older traditions and more recent community celebrations, transforming Halloween into the cultural phenomenon we know today. But Halloween is more than an excuse to eat too much chocolate. Its evolution offers a fascinating window into how societies understand death, preserve folklore, confront fear and pass traditions from one generation to the next. For journalists looking to explore the history, folklore, psychology or cultural significance of Halloween, university experts in history, anthropology, religious studies and popular culture can offer fascinating perspectives on why we love being scared — and how an ancient seasonal observance became a modern celebration. This Halloween, there's a lot more to uncover than what's hiding behind that haunted-house door! Looking for help to bring the history and mystery of Halloween to life? Connect with an ExpertFile expert today for interviews, commentary and a deeper look at the traditions behind the tricks and treats. Visit all of our experts www.expertfile.com

Pneumonic Plague: An Ancient Killer That Has Never Completely Disappeared featured image

3 min

Pneumonic Plague: An Ancient Killer That Has Never Completely Disappeared

Few diseases carry the historical weight of plague. Caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, plague has been responsible for some of the deadliest disease outbreaks in recorded history. The most infamous was the Black Death of the 14th century, which swept through Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and killed tens of millions of people. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 50 million people died in Europe alone. But plague is not simply a disease of the past. The bacterium continues to circulate naturally among wild rodents and their fleas in parts of the world, and human cases still occur. The World Health Organization reports that most cases recorded between 2019 and 2025 occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Madagascar. What Is Pneumonic Plague? There are three primary forms of plague: bubonic, septicemic and pneumonic. Bubonic plague - historically the best-known form -  usually develops following the bite of an infected flea and is characterized by painful, swollen lymph nodes known as “buboes.” Pneumonic plague occurs when Yersinia pestis infects the lungs. It can develop when untreated bubonic or septicemic plague spreads to the lungs, or when someone inhales infectious respiratory particles from a person or animal with pneumonic plague. That distinction is important: pneumonic plague is the only form of plague that can spread directly from person to person through respiratory particles. What Are the Symptoms? Pneumonic plague can progress remarkably quickly. According to the CDC, symptoms include fever, headache and weakness followed by rapidly developing pneumonia. Patients can experience shortness of breath, chest pain and coughing, sometimes producing bloody or watery mucus. Symptoms following inhalation can begin as soon as one day after exposure. Without treatment, pneumonic plague is extremely dangerous. The World Health Organization describes untreated pneumonic plague as invariably fatal, making rapid recognition and medical intervention critical. From Medieval Killer to Treatable Disease What separates plague today from the disease that devastated populations centuries ago is modern medicine. Plague is a bacterial infection and can be successfully treated with antibiotics. The CDC recommends beginning treatment as soon as plague is suspected rather than waiting for laboratory confirmation. Depending on the severity of the illness, treatment can involve intravenous or oral antibiotics, with gentamicin and fluoroquinolones among the first-line treatments used in the United States. Early detection matters enormously. Modern antibiotics, infection-control practices, surveillance and public-health responses mean that a disease once capable of devastating entire communities can now be identified, contained and treated. Yet its persistence also offers an important reminder: diseases that profoundly shaped human history do not necessarily disappear. Plague remains present in animal populations, continues to cause human infections and provides researchers with a remarkable window into the relationship between infectious disease, human behaviour, public health and even human evolution. Experts in infectious diseases, epidemiology, public health, microbiology, global health, medicine and the history of disease can help provide perspective on pneumonic plague, how it spreads, the risks it poses and what centuries of experience with plague can teach us about preventing and responding to outbreaks today. Connect with our experts today: View all of your experts here at www.expertfile.com

25 Years Later: How 9/11 Changed the World featured image

2 min

25 Years Later: How 9/11 Changed the World

On September 11, 2001, the world watched as nearly 3,000 people were killed in terrorist attacks that would become one of the defining moments of the 21st century. Twenty-five years later, 9/11 remains much more than a moment in history. Its consequences continue to shape the world we live in. The attacks transformed national security and intelligence, changed how people travel, reshaped airport and border security, and ushered in a new era of surveillance and counterterrorism. They also profoundly influenced American foreign policy, leading to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and decades of debate about security, military intervention and America's role in the world. The effects were cultural as well as political. September 11 changed how a generation viewed safety, terrorism and global conflict. It also sparked difficult conversations about civil liberties, immigration, religious tolerance and the balance between individual freedoms and collective security. For younger generations, 9/11 is increasingly an event learned about rather than remembered. For millions of others, memories of where they were and what they saw that day remain remarkably vivid. A quarter-century later, the anniversary offers an opportunity to remember those who were lost, recognize the first responders and countless others affected by the attacks, and examine how the decisions made in their aftermath continue to influence our world. Experts in history, political science, international relations, national security, terrorism, public policy and sociology can help provide perspective on September 11, its legacy and how the world has changed 25 years later. Connect with our experts today: View all of your experts here at www.expertfile.com

View all posts