A Day That Shook The World: the Liberation of Paris

(Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

On 25 August 1944, following four years of occupation, Paris was finally liberated from Hitler's control.

A symbolic victory rather than one of grand strategic significance, the celebration parade didn't go entirely to plan when German snipers holed up in tall buildings fired upon the crowds.

Nevertheless, the following day, General Charles de Gaulle proclaimed the start of the Fouth Republic.

Watch original footage from the liberation in this British Pathé video, above.