At 3:32 a.m. EST, on June 6, 1944 Americans heard for the first time that the D-Day invasion had begun. General Eisenhower’s Order of the Day, a message recorded for the troops going into the invasion, was read over American radio stations. President Roosevelt addressed the nation:
Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.
These are photos from the hours after people in New York heard the news.
New York, New York. A crowd on D-day in Madison Square
New York, New York. June 6, 1944. Blood donors on D-day
New York, New York. A crowd watching the news line on the Times building at Times Square
New York, New York. People watching the electrical news sign on the Times building at Times Square
New York, New York. June 6, 1944. Preschool children at L’Ecole maternelle francais on D-day saluting the French flag
New York, New York. Preschool age children at L’Ecole Maternelle Francais on D-day
New York, New York. June 6, 1944. Entering the synagogue on West Twenty-third Street for D-day services
New York, New York. June 6, 1944. D-day sevices in a synagogue on West Twenty-third Street
New York, New York. Noon mass at Saint Vincent de Paul’s Church on D-Day
New York, New York. Seven o’clock mass on D-day in the Lady Chapel, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral
New York, New York. June 6, 1944. Noon mass at Saint Vincent de Paul’s Church on D-day
New York, New York. June 6, 1944. Noon mass at Saint Vincent de Paul’s Church on D-day
New York, New York. June 6, 1944. Noon mass at Saint Vincent de Paul’s Church on D-day
New York, New York. June 6, 1944. Noon mass at Saint Vincent de Paul’s Church on D-day
New York, New York. June 6, 1944. Noon mass at Saint Vincent de Paul’s Church on D-day
New York, New York. June 6, 1944. Noon mass at Saint Vincent de Paul’s Church on D-day
New York, New York. June 6, 1944. Noon mass at Saint Vincent de Paul’s Church on D-day
New York, New York. June 6, 1944. Noon mass. Saint Vincent de Paul’s Church on D-day
New York, New York. Times Square and vicinity on D-Day
New York, New York. Times Square and vicinity on D-Day
New York, New York. Times Square and vicinity on D-Day
New York, New York. Times Square and vicinity on D-Day
New York, New York. Times Square and vicinity on D-Day
New York, New York. Times Square and vicinity on D-Day
New York, New York. Times Square and vicinity on D-Day
New York, New York. Times Square and vicinity on D-Day
New York, New York. Times Square and vicinity on D-Day