Probably the most famous June 6th of the 20th Century was this June 6th in 1944. The news was exclusively about the goings on in France, as one of the largest invasion forces ever assembled went ashore on the French coast in what would be a turning point in World War 2. The airwaves were jammed with breathless accounts, bulletins and analysis for the next 36 hours as America waited and listened and didn't do much else.

Here is an extract of continuous coverage as broadcast by CBS Radio on June 6th, 1944.

And that's exactly what it sounded like, sixty-eight years ago.

No matter what else has gone on in the world since that particular June 6th, the one in 1944 is always front and center in most people's minds. And as the years go on and the people involved in that day become fewer and fewer, it is always there whether it's newsreels or photos or radio broadcasts to remind people, many of whom have had no connection to that event whatsoever, what a momentous day it was in history.

So in keeping with that, here is a half-hour slice of the day, from 11:15-11:30 pm (EWT) from NBC Radio. The day where all activity stopped, and news was nothing but the events going on in the English Channel.

(For many, it really was the Longest Day)

Shortly after midnight (Eastern War Time) on June 6, 1944, the first trickle of news reports regarding the invasion of Europe began. The reports were initially from German news sources and so weren't given credibility. But shortly after, word from Supreme Allied Headquarters in London revealed that in fact, the invasion of Europe was underway.

June 6, 2009 marks the 65th anniversary of that turning point in World War 2. The largest invasion force ever assembled landed on the coast of France and began the long siege that eventually brought the demise of the Axis powers in 1945.

I've assembled excerpts of the first 12 or so hours of the invasion story, from the initial bulletins and reported by the people who witnessed it and by the ones who breathlessly relayed the much anticipated news to all the Radio Networks throughout the world.