On June 6, 1944, the bulletin from Gen. Dwight Eisenhower’s headquarters read: “Under the command of Gen. Eisenhower, allied naval forces, supported by strong air forces, began landing allied armies this morning on the northern coast of France.” With that proclamation, Chicagoans learned the news of the D-Day invasion. “Chicagoans knelt in church and synagog yesterday to pray for the allied armies striking into western Europe,” wrote the Tribune on June 7, 1944. “Hundreds of persons defied rain and chill to attend what was perhaps State street’s first civic prayer meeting."

(Chicago Tribune historical photos)