Lessons From Normandy: Bringing WWII & Civics to Life

As part of our partnership with Operation Democracy, the WWII Heroes Foundation is proud to help bring World War II history to life for students from K-12. Their Normandy-based curriculum already incorporates our award-winning documentary Mother of Normandy into classrooms, giving young audiences a personal and emotional connection to the events of D-Day and the liberation of Europe. Now, we are expanding this effort through a new educational series, Lessons From Normandy, designed to engage students with vivid storytelling, historically rich content, and meaningful links between the past and the civic principles that continue to shape our nation.

Led by retired U.S. Army Colonel Keith Nightingale — a highly respected airborne operations expert and authority on the Normandy invasion — Lessons From Normandy will feature approximately 20 short vignettes, each 5–7 minutes long. Covering key moments from WWII history — from the planning of Operation Overlord and the D-Day landings to airborne missions, leadership decisions, and firsthand accounts from soldiers — the series will also highlight how these events reflect core Constitutional values such as freedom, representative government, and the rule of law.

By following the Allies’ journey from the beaches of Normandy to the liberation of Paris, the push to Berlin, and the end of the war, students will gain both historical knowledge and a deeper understanding of why these sacrifices were made. Together with Operation Democracy, we aim to preserve this history, honor those who served, and inspire future generations to uphold the rights, responsibilities, and democratic ideals for which they fought.