The Atlanta History Center and the World War II Foundation will host a special event on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, to honor the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the courage displayed on June 6, 1944, to liberate German-occupied France, and later Europe, from Nazi control.

The evening will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Atlanta History Center, located at 130 West Paces Ferry Road NW. It will feature an interview with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson and special recognition of Wright Bryan, former editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the first journalist to provide an eyewitness account of D-Day. The night will also feature a reading of the names of some of the Georgians who landed during D-Day in 1944.

Tim Gray, founder of the World War II Foundation and director of 22 documentary films on personal stories of World War II, will interview Atkinson about D-Day, specifically its historical significance as well as some of the author’s discoveries writing about the Normandy invasion.

After working as a newspaper reporter, editor and foreign correspondent for The Washington Post, Atkinson began writing military history. He is the author of seven books that account five different American wars.

The sponsors for the evening are Delta Air Lines, Jackson Spalding and ZWJ Investment Counsel. Atkinson’s books will be available for purchase after the event and he will be available for book signings. 

The event is free and open to the public. A limited number of tickets remain and guests must RSVP for the event here to ensure a seat.

“This event will be a very powerful evening paying tribute to the Greatest Generation and the heroic sacrifice displayed nearly 75 years ago on the beaches of Normandy, France,” said Sheffield Hale, president and chief executive officer of Atlanta History Center. “The Atlanta History Center is honored to host the event together with the World War II Foundation and salute some of the Georgians who landed in Normandy that day.”

Retired Marine Major General Andrew (Drew) Davis, the chief executive officer of the World War II Foundation, will attend the event along with Kevin Riley, editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitutionand various Board Members of the World War II Foundation.

 “Speaking for our entire Foundation, we are thrilled to be in Atlanta and to take part in this inspirational night,” said Drew Davis, chief executive officer of the World War II Foundation. “Part of the World War II Foundation’s mission is to recognize the bravery and contributions made by veterans and survivors of World War II, and this event at the Atlanta History Center captures this mission beautifully. We salute all the soldiers who landed on D-Day, especially the many who we lost that day as they fought with extraordinary courage for Europe’s return to freedom.”