2024 marks 80 years since the D-Day landings. June 6 1944 was the day Operation Overlord was put into effect, making it the largest combined effort of land, air and sea forces.

Though incredibly successful, there were casualties of over 209,00. The day will be remembered around the world with the lighting of beacons, bonfires and lamps among other ceremonies and memorials.

Oakham Town Council will commemorate this anniversary with two D-Day events to mark 80 years since the landings.

The first of these will be a concert and beacon lighting event on Thursday to commemorate 80 years since the historic victory.

Prior to the lighting, which is set to take place in Cutts Close, there will be a concert at All Saints Church from 7pm, at which Rutland Concert Band will be playing music of the era. The beacon lighting will take place at 9:15pm.

Residents are encouraged to bring spare change, as donations to the Royal British Legion will be collected on the night.

Oakham Castle will also fly the special D-Day flag of peace on 6 June. 

D-Day concert and beacon lighting. Image credit: Oakham Town Council.

Then, on Sunday 9 June, as a part of the council's summer live music series, there will be a D-Day party in the park. From noon until 5pm in Cutts Close, music will be provided by Alan Jackson, a vintage soloist, and Marlow & Smith, a local cover duo.

Vendors such as GRIFF's Pizza and The Grainstore serving food and drinks at these regular free events. Residents are also welcome to bring chairs, picnic blankets and their own food and drinks.

Prior to this, Rutland's Lord-Lieutenant will be hosting a service of commemoration for military personnel and veterans at All Saints Church on Sunday 9 June from 10:30am.

A service will take place at All Saints Church. Image credit: Rutland Lord-Lieutenant.

Unfortunately, the Lions Club of Rutland D-Day Swing event at Victoria Hall has been cancelled due to ticket sales.

D-Day is a common name for the Normandy landings, the landing operations and associated airborne operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II.

Codenamed Operation Neptune and often referred to as D-Day, it is the largest seaborne invasion in history. The operation began the liberation of France, and the rest of Western Europe, and laid the foundations of the Allied victory on the Western Front.