Armistice Day
November 11, 1918
The end of WWI was officially marked by the singing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28,1919; however, what put an end to the fighting had already occurred seven months earlier on November 11, 1918 and became known as Armistice Day. Armistice Day ended the fighting between the Allies (Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy after the signing of the Treaty of London, the United states), and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey).
In November 1919, Woodrow Wilson marked the first anniversary of Armistice Day saying "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
In November 1919, Woodrow Wilson marked the first anniversary of Armistice Day saying "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. Red Poppies became a symbol of WWI after the creation of John McCrea's poem in 1915, and are worn every year as remembrance and tribute
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Listen to Woodrow Wilson's Armistice Day Radio Address in 1923
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By5nvzsidX0 The WWI memorial in Washington DC
Celebrations occurring after the establishment of Armistice day
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Facts:
- The original idea for the celebration of Armistice Day was a day of parades and public meetings along with a temporary suspension of work until 11 a.m.
- Armistice means the agreement between opposing armies to halt hostilities in order to discuss peace terms
- In 1954, President Eisenhower changed the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans day
- In the United States there are approximately 23.2 million veterans
- According to the Department of Veterans' Affairs, Veterans Day most commonly gets confused with Memorial Day
- The original idea for the celebration of Armistice Day was a day of parades and public meetings along with a temporary suspension of work until 11 a.m.
- Armistice means the agreement between opposing armies to halt hostilities in order to discuss peace terms
- In 1954, President Eisenhower changed the holiday from Armistice Day to Veterans day
- In the United States there are approximately 23.2 million veterans
- According to the Department of Veterans' Affairs, Veterans Day most commonly gets confused with Memorial Day
Soldiers celebrating the news of Armistice Day