Today, June 6th, 2020, The National WWII Museum commemorates the 76th anniversary of the D-Day invasion and celebrate the 20th anniversary of its opening as The National D-Day Museum in 2000.

The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that future generations will know the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as America’s National WWII Museum, the institution celebrates the American spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifices of the men and women who fought on the battlefront and served on the Home Front.

This showcase has been designed to celebrate the stories shared over the last 20 years and some of the most loved collections from the museum. We hope you enjoy this time of refelction, exploration and discovery. 

This series of exhibitions have been curated to celebrate 20 Years of sharing the stories of American military personnel and civilians during the Second World War. Through their oral histories, correspondence, diaries and photographs, these exhibits serve as a tribute to their experiences, their reflections and service.

Doodles of World War II Prisoners

Thousands of American citizens were held captive as prisoners of war during World War Two. The experience of capture and imprisonment inspired a great deal of artwork by U.S. Prisoners of War. This exhibit includes a selection of artwork produced during periods of captivity in German POW camps, along with an oral history from a fellow POW.

Etched in Our Memory

This exhibit comprises a series of extracts sourced from Prisoner of War hand written journals, looking at how HTR technology has enhanced our reading of these in recent years and serves to preserve these stories for generations to come.

Reflections on Service

The Oral Histories collection at The National WWII Museum boats over 500 video interviews, each offering an invaluable insight into the involvement of American men and women in World War Two, both in a military capacity and as civilians on the Home Front. This exhibitions explores three such histories, reflecting on historic moments of the war - from being in Times Square on V-J Day, the surrender of the Japanese and the liberation of Moosburg prisoner camp.