Photographs: Chris Helgren/Reuters
Veterans who stormed the beaches of Normandy exactly 70 years ago on Friday arrived at the same beaches on Friday morning to mark the moment they and their friends started the D-Day assault. Beaches that in 1944 were being pulverised by shells and gunfire and strewn with the brave wounded and dying were silent, as men who fought and survived remembered those who lost their lives in Nazi-occupied France.
It was this day 70 years ago that Allied troops invaded the Nazi-occupied land and the moment that marked the start of the end of World War II.
Along with the veterans, world leaders were also present in Normandy for an emotional ceremony expected to be the pinnacle of events marking the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
Rediff.com brings you some of the poignant images from the ceremony.
British D-Day veteran of the Normandy campaign Fred Glover, 88 of Brighton poses while watching a display by 300 multi-national paratroops in Ranville, France.
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D-DAY PHOTOS: Remembering the invasion that changed the world
Photographs: Chris Helgren/Reuters
Fireworks erupt above the rebuilt Pegasus bridge, marking the time just after midnight when British glider-borne forces arrived to capture it on D-Day 70 years ago, in Benouville, France.
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D-DAY PHOTOS: Remembering the invasion that changed the world
Photographs: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
A piper plays on Gold Beach as landing craft from the Royal Marines arrive at Arromanche on June 6. This is the same beach that was stormed by Royal Marines 70 years ago.
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D-DAY PHOTOS: Remembering the invasion that changed the world
Photographs: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
D-Day veterans from the Surrey Normandy Veterans Association take part in the last ever flag raising ceremony at Arromanches as they remember their fallen comrades who lost their lives on the Longest Day.
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D-DAY PHOTOS: Remembering the invasion that changed the world
Photographs: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
D-Day veteran Victor Walker, 88, formerly of HMS Versatile, arrives at Bayeux Cathedral for a Service of Remembrance during D-Day commemorations.
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D-DAY PHOTOS: Remembering the invasion that changed the world
Photographs: Jacques Brinon/Reuters
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth and France’s President Francois Hollande attend a wreath-laying ceremony.
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D-DAY PHOTOS: Remembering the invasion that changed the world
Photographs: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrive at Bayeux Cathedral for a Service of Remembrance.
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D-DAY PHOTOS: Remembering the invasion that changed the world
Photographs: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha Cameron arrive at Bayeux Cathedral. Other world leaders also collected at the Cathedral to mark the lives and honour those who died on this day, 70 years ago.
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D-DAY PHOTOS: Remembering the invasion that changed the world
Photographs: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
Veteran Fred Holborn, from the Fleet Air Arm, salutes as he looks at British Legion Union flags carrying thank you messages planted in the sand on Gold beach, near Asnelles, France.
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D-DAY PHOTOS: Remembering the invasion that changed the world
Photographs: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
A veteran proudly stands for the last post during the Royal Artillery Commemoration Parade and service on Sword Beach, France.
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D-DAY PHOTOS: Remembering the invasion that changed the world
Photographs: Antoine Antoniol/Getty Images
US President Barack Obama joins WWII veterans during a ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. He paid his respects to the fallen and posed for photographs with the veterans at the function.
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D-DAY PHOTOS: Remembering the invasion that changed the world
Photographs: Guido Bergmann/Getty Images
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin talk to each other during a ceremony for the veterans.
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D-DAY PHOTOS: Remembering the invasion that changed the world
Photographs: Win McNamee/Getty Images
World War II veterans react to applause at a ceremony with US Preident Barack Obama at the NormandyAmericanCemetery on the 70th anniversary of D-Day in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.
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