Celebrating 25 Years
On June 6, 2000, The National D-Day Museum opened in New Orleans on the 56th anniversary of the Normandy landings as a single exhibition hall dedicated to telling the stories of the everyday Americans who participated in the greatest amphibious invasion in history. Now, 25 transformational years later, The National WWII Museum explores and honors the entire American experience in World War II—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn.
Please join us for a weeklong celebration to mark this milestone anniversary and highlight the continued importance of our mission. These events will honor the WWII generation and the values they embody, reflect on the Museum’s achievements over the past two decades, and share how the institution plans to expand its efforts to inspire audiences for generations to come.
The National WWII Museum’s beginnings can be traced back over three decades, when friends and University of New Orleans professors Stephen Ambrose, PhD, and Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, PhD, discussed plans for a museum that would tell the story of the D-Day invasion of Normandy and World War II, and preserve the accounts of the everyday Americans who fought against fascist tyranny. On June 6, 2000, the 56th anniversary of the Normandy landings, The National D-Day Museum opened as a single exhibition hall in the heart of New Orleans, the city where Higgins Industries’ famous landing craft were produced. In 2004, Congress designated the institution as America’s national museum for World War II, and the institution officially adopted a new name and new mission to cover the entire war effort, the Home Front, and the war’s lasting impacts. Since then, The National WWII Museum has transformed into a seven-acre, seven-pavilion campus with immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of powerful artifacts and first-person oral histories.
At the heart of The National WWII Museum are the people it was built to honor: the servicemembers storming beaches and battlefields across Europe and the Pacific; the factory workers on the Home Front; the Holocaust survivors who experienced the horrors of Nazi tyranny and the joys of liberation. But with the passage of time, direct connections to the history of the war are fading. With less than half of a percent of the 16.4 million Americans who served in the conflict still living, the Museum's work documenting their memories, preserving their artifacts, and sharing their stories of courage, resilience, and sacrifice is more critical than ever.
The National WWII Museum has accomplished a great deal over the past 25 years, emerging as the most accessible source for trusted knowledge on the American experience in World War II. As it looks to the future, the Museum is committed to ensuring its campus, programs, and educational resources reach new audiences and continue to inspire for generations to come.
May 29
American Spirit Awards Recipient and Patron Party
Thursday, May 29 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
Ticket Required
The National WWII Museum’s 25th Anniversary Celebration will kick off with the 2025 American Spirit Awards events. Award recipients, event sponsors, Trustees, and guests will enjoy a festive reception featuring a live local band, Hands on History displays, cocktails, a casual dinner, and more.
May 30
Billy Michal Student Leadership Forum Luncheon Presented by Kevin G. Clifford Family
Friday, May 30 | 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
Ticket Required
The Billy Michal Student Leadership Awards will be presented to 51 students from across the nation who embody the American spirit in their community. American Spirit Award recipients will share their experiences with the student leaders, offering motivating advice to tomorrow’s leaders.
American Spirit Awards Gala
Friday, May 30 | 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
Ticket Required
As one of the highlights of The National WWII Museum’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, the 2025 American Spirit Awards Gala will honor the Museum’s origins, its years of growth, and the leaders behind its success. This year’s honorees are Donald T. “Boysie” Bollinger, longtime Museum advocate and former Board Chairman; Paul Hilliard, WWII veteran and former Board Chairman; and Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, Museum Founding President & CEO Emeritus—three individuals who have played pivotal roles in the growth and development of the Museum and made tremendous contributions to their communities and country.
June 4
Dinner with a Curator: “Transforming a Neighborhood: The National WWII Museum and New Orleans's American Sector”
Wednesday, June 4 | 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
Ticket Required
Join Museum Vice President of Education & Access Pete Crean as he discusses WWII-era New Orleans and the history behind the location of The National WWII Museum, highlighting the impact the Museum has had on the revitalization of the Arts & Warehouse District.
June 5
"Preserving the Legacy: Creating The National WWII Museum" Book Launch and Reception
Thursday, June 5 | 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
Free and Open to the Public
Join us for the official launch of Museum Founding President & CEO Emeritus Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller’s new book Preserving the Legacy. Dr. Mueller will share behind-the-scenes stories about the founding and first 25 years of the institution’s history and pay tribute to the monumental contributions of Museum Founder Stephen Ambrose, PhD.
Remembering the D-Day Fallen
June 5 & 6
Founders Plaza and Col. Battle Barksdale Parade Ground
Free and Open to the Public
On June 6, 1944, 2,510 Americans gave their lives in the fight to liberate France and Europe from Nazi tyranny as a part of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Eighty-one years later, The National WWII Museum pays tribute to their sacrifice through a moving visual display of luminaria representing the lives of each servicemember lost on D-Day throughout the grounds of its New Orleans campus.
June 6
H-Hour Remembrance Gathering
Friday, June 6 | 6:30 a.m.
Founders Plaza
Free and Open to the Public
H-Hour on D-Day occurred at 6:30 a.m. local time on June 6, 1944. Join us to commemorate the moment the invasion of Normandy began and reflect on the sacrifices made that day with a wreath laying at our Atlantic Wall monument.
Heroes’ Welcome
Friday, June 6 | 8:50 a.m.
Louisiana Memorial Pavilion
Free and Open to the Public
The National D-Day Museum opened its doors on June 6, 2000, with many WWII veterans, Home Front workers, and Holocaust survivors among its first visitors. Now, 25 years later, join us as we welcome members of the WWII generation to again be the first to enter their museum on this momentous day. Ahead of the Museum opening at 9:00 a.m., visitors are invited to line up along the Main Entrance on Andrew Higgins Boulevard to celebrate these special guests with flags and fanfare.
Dr. Hal Baumgarten D-Day Commemoration Ceremony and Museum’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
Friday, June 6 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center
Free and Open to the Public
Join us to mark the 81st anniversary of the Normandy landings and the 25th anniversary of The National WWII Museum. Presented in memory of D-Day veteran and Museum friend Dr. Harold “Hal” Baumgarten, The National WWII Museum’s annual D-Day commemoration remembers the men who landed on the beaches in Normandy on June 6, 1944. In tribute to the 25th anniversary of the Museum’s grand opening, learn more about how D-Day and the war influenced the growth and evolution of The National D-Day Museum to The National WWII Museum, as well as the Museum’s future plans to ensure that the impact of its mission continues to grow.
The National WWII Museum presents "Eyes of the World: D-Day to VE Day" made possible by the generous support of The Priddy Family Foundation
Friday, June 6 | 7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Orpheum Theater
Ticket Required; More Information Coming Soon
Historian John Monsky joins The National WWII Museum, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and top Broadway stars to bring you a musically driven multimedia experience capturing the dramatic final months of World War II in Europe.
June 7
25th Anniversary Family and Member Day
Saturday, June 7 | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The National WWII Museum
Museum Admission Required
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, join The National WWII Museum for a Family and Member Day! Explore our campus and enjoy live entertainment, interactive displays, and activities that celebrate the Museum's mission.
- $25 discounted tickets for adults and seniors
- Free for kids, students, military personnel, and veterans
$250,000 Platinum Sponsor
Includes:
- American Spirit Awards Recipient and Patron Party—20 Invitations
- Billy Michal Student Leadership Forum Luncheon—2 Tables (20 Invitations)
- American Spirit Awards Gala—2 Tables (20 Invitations)
- Recognition as Platinum Sponsor on official 25th Anniversary event materials and webpage
$100,000 Gold Sponsor
Includes:
- American Spirit Awards Recipient and Patron Party—10 Invitations
- Billy Michal Student Leadership Forum Luncheon—1 Table (10 Invitations)
- American Spirit Awards Gala—1 Table (10 invitations)
- Recognition as Gold Sponsor on official 25th Anniversary event materials and webpage
$50,000 Silver Sponsor
Includes:
- American Spirit Awards Recipient and Patron Party—10 Invitations
- Billy Michal Student Leadership Forum Luncheon—1 Table (10 Invitations)
- American Spirit Awards Gala—1 Table (10 Invitations)
- Recognition as Silver Sponsor on official 25th Anniversary event materials and webpage
$25,000 Bronze Sponsor
Includes:
- American Spirit Awards Recipient and Patron Party—10 Invitations
- Billy Michal Student Leadership Forum Luncheon—1 Table (10 Invitations)
- American Spirit Awards Gala—1 Table (10 Invitations)
- Recognition as Bronze Sponsor on official 25th Anniversary event materials and webpage
$10,000 Supporter Sponsor
Includes:
- American Spirit Awards Recipient and Patron Party—4 Invitations
- Billy Michal Student Leadership Forum Luncheon—4 Invitations
- American Spirit Awards Gala—4 Invitations
- Recognition as Supporting Sponsor on official 25th Anniversary event materials and webpage
If you are interested in supporting the Museum's 25th Anniversary Celebration as a presenting sponsor, or if you want to purchase the Platinum or Gold sponsorships, please contact Fundraising Events at FundraisingEvents@NationalWW2Museum.org.
Stay at The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center, the official on-campus hotel of The National WWII Museum! Rooms are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Higgins Hotel block rooms are not guaranteed to be available for all attendees.
American Spirit Awards Block and Rates
Available May 28-31
25th Anniversary Celebration Block and Rates
Available June 5-7
Experience the Victory Tour
June 6-8
Come explore, remember, and reflect on World War II through exclusive access to the Museum’s campus. Experience the Victory includes accommodation at The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center, select meals, Museum admission, guided touring, early access to the Museum, and more.
Commemorative Event Information
Do I need to purchase any tickets to participate in the events?
Some events require Museum admission or an additional ticket purchase. These include: the American Spirit Awards; Dinner with a Curator; The Eyes of the World concert; and the 25th Anniversary Family and Member Day.
Is there a rain date?
There will not be a rain date. Any events or activities that were scheduled to be held outside can easily be moved indoors. Any changes to locations will be communicated through signage and emails to registrants.
Does registering for an event guarantee a reserved seat?
Unfortunately, general event registration does not guarantee a reserved seat. There will be reserved seats for D-Day and WWII veterans with one companion each, as well as Patriot’s Circle members, for each event.
Visiting the Museum
How do I purchase a ticket to visit the Museum during my visit to New Orleans for the commemoration?
We strongly recommend purchasing tickets to visit the Museum in advance for a smoother visit. You can purchase tickets here. There will also be tickets available for purchase day-of at the Museum. Current military members and their families get free Museum admission through the Blue Star Museums program from May 18 through September 2. Complimentary admission is for Museum only; ticket purchase is required for Beyond All Boundaries and the Freedom Theater Experience.
I am planning a multiday trip to visit the Museum for this commemoration. Where should I stay?
Located on the Museum’s campus is The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center, the official hotel of The National WWII Museum. Click here for 25th Anniversary Celebration hotel block and rates. For more information and resources for visiting New Orleans, visit neworleans.com.
Come explore, remember, and reflect on World War II through exclusive access to the Museum’s campus via our Experience the Victory Tour! The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American experience in the war that changed the world—why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired by what they learn. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience a custom program at this world-class institution!