People walk among vintage World War II vehicles parked on the beach during events to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Arromanches, Normandy, France, on Thursday, June 6, 2019. World leaders and veterans gathered Thursday in France to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
In pictures: D-Day 75th anniversary commemorations
People walk among vintage World War II vehicles parked on the beach during events to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Arromanches, Normandy, France, on Thursday, June 6, 2019. World leaders and veterans gathered Thursday in France to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Thibault Camus/AP

Updated 2241 GMT (0641 HKT) June 06, 2019

Veterans, military service members, world leaders and dignitaries, including Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and President Donald Trump, take part in events marking the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Portsmouth, England.

On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops invaded Western Europe, overwhelming German forces in what proved to be a major turning point in World War II.

Ahead of the commemorations, 16 countries, including the United States and United Kingdom, issued a historic statement to mark the anniversary. The statement said the countries affirm their shared responsibility "to ensure the horror of the Second World War is never repeated."

Other commemorative events are taking place across the English Channel in France, where Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy on D-Day.

Veteran John Lamont (R) looks at some of the gravestones ahead of the memorial service in Bayeux Cemetery on Thursday in Bayeux, France. It has been announced that 16 countries had signed a historic proclamation of peace to ensure the horrors of the Second World War are never repeated. The text has been agreed upon by Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Veteran John Lamont (R) looks at some of the gravestones ahead of the memorial service in Bayeux Cemetery on Thursday in Bayeux, France. It has been announced that 16 countries had signed a historic proclamation of peace to ensure the horrors of the Second World War are never repeated. The text has been agreed upon by Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
WWII enthusiasts walk by a portrait and an American flag planted in the sand at Utah Beach in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, France. It reads: "In memory staff Sgt. Charles Franck Simon 4th Infantry division -- Utah Beach, 6 June 1944 -- Wounded."
WWII enthusiasts walk by a portrait and an American flag planted in the sand at Utah Beach in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, France. It reads: "In memory staff Sgt. Charles Franck Simon 4th Infantry division -- Utah Beach, 6 June 1944 -- Wounded."
Jean-Francois Monier/AFP/Getty Images
A World War II veteran talks to a soldier at the end of a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day at the Bayeux War Cemetery in Bayeux.
A World War II veteran talks to a soldier at the end of a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day at the Bayeux War Cemetery in Bayeux.
Francisco Seco/AP
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit the Normandy American Cemetery to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visit the Normandy American Cemetery to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, on Thursday.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
A soldier holds an English flag on the beach of Arromanches to mark the 75th anniversary of the World War II Allied landings in Normandy.
A soldier holds an English flag on the beach of Arromanches to mark the 75th anniversary of the World War II Allied landings in Normandy.
Joel Sagat/AFP/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, watch flypasts commemorating the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings on Thursday.
US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, watch flypasts commemorating the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings on Thursday.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
World War II Normandy campaign veterans arrive to take part in a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, on Thursday.
World War II Normandy campaign veterans arrive to take part in a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, on Thursday.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
US World War II veteran Carl Mann, from Indiana, is buried at Arlington National Cemetery on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in Arlington, Virginia US. Mr. Mann, who died at the age of 96, was among the Allied troops who stormed Omaha Beach in Nazi-occupied northern France.
US World War II veteran Carl Mann, from Indiana, is buried at Arlington National Cemetery on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in Arlington, Virginia US. Mr. Mann, who died at the age of 96, was among the Allied troops who stormed Omaha Beach in Nazi-occupied northern France.
Johnathan Ernst/Reuters
US First Lady Melania Trump, US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, visit graves after a French-US ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, on Thursday.
US First Lady Melania Trump, US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, visit graves after a French-US ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, on Thursday.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) meets veterans during a French-US ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, on Thursday.
French President Emmanuel Macron (L) meets veterans during a French-US ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, on Thursday.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A visitor pauses to photograph one of the many crosses at the Normandy American Cemetery on the 75th anniversary of the World War II Allied D-Day invasion on Thursday near Colleville-Sur-Mer, France.
A visitor pauses to photograph one of the many crosses at the Normandy American Cemetery on the 75th anniversary of the World War II Allied D-Day invasion on Thursday near Colleville-Sur-Mer, France.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
From the right, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Britain's Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt, Dutch Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld and other officials attend an international ceremony on Juno Beach in Courseulles-sur-Mer, France, Thursday.
From the right, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Britain's Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt, Dutch Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld and other officials attend an international ceremony on Juno Beach in Courseulles-sur-Mer, France, Thursday.
Fred Tanneau/AP
From left, British Prime Minister Theresa May, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings at an event Wednesday, June 5, in Portsmouth, England.
From left, British Prime Minister Theresa May, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings at an event Wednesday, June 5, in Portsmouth, England.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Veterans take part in the commemorative events in Portsmouth, where much of the landing force sailed from in 1944.
Veterans take part in the commemorative events in Portsmouth, where much of the landing force sailed from in 1944.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
A veteran wipes his eyes during the ceremony in Portsmouth.
A veteran wipes his eyes during the ceremony in Portsmouth.
Alex Brandon/AP
Trump addresses the event. He read a prayer that Franklin D. Roosevelt gave over the radio during the Normandy landings.
Trump addresses the event. He read a prayer that Franklin D. Roosevelt gave over the radio during the Normandy landings.
Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images
Dancers in 1940s period costumes perform during the ceremony in Portsmouth.
Dancers in 1940s period costumes perform during the ceremony in Portsmouth.
Matt Dunham/AP
Britain's Prime Minister gives a reading in Portsmouth.
Britain's Prime Minister gives a reading in Portsmouth.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
US World War II veteran Tom Rice, foreground, takes part in a parachute drop over Carentan in northwestern France as part of D-Day commemorations on June 5.
US World War II veteran Tom Rice, foreground, takes part in a parachute drop over Carentan in northwestern France as part of D-Day commemorations on June 5.
Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images
Charles Shay, a World War II veteran and Native American, holds his hand over his heart during the National Anthem at an Omaha Beach ceremony on June 5.
Charles Shay, a World War II veteran and Native American, holds his hand over his heart during the National Anthem at an Omaha Beach ceremony on June 5.
Loic VenanceAFP/Getty Images
The French President greets a veteran after speaking in Portsmouth on June 5.
The French President greets a veteran after speaking in Portsmouth on June 5.
Alex Brandon/AP
Troops arrive at the Portsmouth ceremony on June 5.
Troops arrive at the Portsmouth ceremony on June 5.
Alex Brandon/AP
Elizabeth, accompanied by May, greets Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a meeting of Allied leaders in Portsmouth on June 5.
Elizabeth, accompanied by May, greets Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a meeting of Allied leaders in Portsmouth on June 5.
Jack Hill/AP
Members of Britain's Household Cavalry participate in the proceedings at Portsmouth.
Members of Britain's Household Cavalry participate in the proceedings at Portsmouth.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Members of the public wave flags as they watch the D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth.
Members of the public wave flags as they watch the D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth.
Isabel Infantes/AFP/Getty Images
US soldiers take pictures of paratroopers dropping over Carentan in northwestern France as part of D-Day commemorations on June 5.
US soldiers take pictures of paratroopers dropping over Carentan in northwestern France as part of D-Day commemorations on June 5.
Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images
US veteran paratrooper Vincent Speranza speaks with a US soldier as they attend a parachute drop over Carentan on June 5.
US veteran paratrooper Vincent Speranza speaks with a US soldier as they attend a parachute drop over Carentan on June 5.
Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images
World War II enthusiasts in period vehicles pass through a fueling station in Port-en-Bessin in northwestern France's Normandy on June 5.
World War II enthusiasts in period vehicles pass through a fueling station in Port-en-Bessin in northwestern France's Normandy on June 5.
Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images
A US Army Ranger in the uniform of a World War II Ranger walks along rocks below La Pointe du Hoc before scaling cliffs in a re-enactment of the D-Day assault near Cricqueville-en-Bessin, France, on June 5.
A US Army Ranger in the uniform of a World War II Ranger walks along rocks below La Pointe du Hoc before scaling cliffs in a re-enactment of the D-Day assault near Cricqueville-en-Bessin, France, on June 5.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Members of the US Navy plant American and French flags at soldiers' graves at the Normandy American Cemetery near Colleville-Sur-Mer, France, on June 5.
Members of the US Navy plant American and French flags at soldiers' graves at the Normandy American Cemetery near Colleville-Sur-Mer, France, on June 5.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images