How the Allied Forces began to win the Second World War 71 years ago today

Every war has events where the tide changes, turning points where the conflict's endgame comes into focus.

That moment for the Second World War's European theater was June 6, 1944, the day Allied forces crossed the English Channel and began to reclaim the European mainland.

Friday marks the 71st anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

Here are images that bring to life one of the most consequential military operations in modern history.

Robert Johnson contributed to this report.