BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: In New Orleans today, an anniversary of a day that may well have changed the world. Fifty-six years ago today, allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France and helped turn the tide against the German Nazi war machine. Today, a museum dedicated to D-Day and other World War II victories opens to preserve the sacrifices made. Charles Zewe live now this morning there where it is said to be an incredible display. Charles, good morning.</s>CHARLES ZEWE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning from New Orleans, Bill, where the initial ceremony, the very first dedication ceremony, is under way here. This is a much smaller gathering. U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu from Louisiana just concluding her remarks, she calling this museum a tribute to the courage of those tens of thousands of allied men and women who fought in the Normandy invasion 56 years ago today. This museum, this $25 million museum, is opening today to the public. This ceremony will be followed a little while from now by a much larger ceremony featuring what is being called the largest gathering of World War II veterans since the war itself. They're all here in New Orleans to open this museum which, as I say, is a tribute to the sacrifices that they made, sacrifices which led to the deaths of more than 3,000 Americans alone on this day 56 years ago. Ceremonies expected to go on for some time here before moving over to an arena near the Superdome in New Orleans. Then a bit military parade, said to be the biggest military parade in the United States in the last 45 years. People paying tribute on this day the sacrifices of a generation. Charles Zewe, CNN, live, New Orleans.</s>HEMMER: Charles, thank you. The museum founded by historian, best-selling author Stephen Ambrose, once again. He'll be our guest at the bottom of the hour, about 20 minutes away. Always interesting to talk with Stephen Ambrose, and certainly this will be no different.</s>DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, actually it will be special on a day like today.</s>HEMMER: Yes, talk it up with him in about 20 minutes time. Stay tuned for that.
56 Years Later, D-Day Museum Honors World War II Sacrifices