Armistice Day facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Armistice Day |
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Front page of The New York Times on Armistice Day, 11 November 1918
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| Observed by | Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, New Zealand, Romania, Serbia, United Kingdom and many other countries |
| Significance | Commemoration of the signing of the Armistice between the Allied Powers and the Central Powers effectively ending all military operations and hostilities in all theatres and fronts of World War I at Compiègne, France |
| Date | 11 November |
| Next time | 11 November 2025 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First time | World's first official observance at Buckingham Palace, London, on 11 November 1919 |
| Related to | Coincides with Remembrance Day and Veterans Day; and related to Remembrance Sunday |
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Armistice Day is a special day celebrated every year on 11 November. It marks the end of World War I. On this day in 1918, an agreement called an "armistice" was signed. This agreement stopped the fighting between the Allied Powers and Germany.
The armistice was signed in Compiègne, France, at 5:45 am. The fighting officially stopped at 11:00 am. This is why people often say "the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month." Even after the armistice, some fighting continued for a short time. A full peace agreement, the Treaty of Versailles, was signed the next year.
Today, Armistice Day is known by different names. In many Commonwealth countries, it is called Remembrance Day. In the United States, it is known as Veterans Day. It is a national holiday in France and other countries.
How Armistice Day Started
The first Armistice Day celebration happened in London, England. It was held at Buckingham Palace on 11 November 1919. King George V hosted a special dinner the night before.
On the morning of 11 November, the first official events took place. These included a two-minute silence. This silence was a way to show respect for all the soldiers who died in the war. It also honored those who survived.
Other countries started similar ceremonies. For example, in South Africa, a group called the Memorable Order of Tin Hats began a tradition. They would observe a "Fallen Comrades" toast in silence and darkness. Only a "Light of Remembrance" would shine.
In Britain, the two-minute silence was moved. From 1939, it was held on the Sunday closest to 11 November. This was done so it would not stop important work during World War II. This day became known as Remembrance Sunday.
Over time, the focus of 11 November changed. At first, it honored only those who died in World War I. After World War II, many countries changed the holiday's name. They also started honoring all veterans who served in their armed forces. Some countries even honor both soldiers and civilians who died in wars.
Armistice Day Today
Today, people around the world still remember Armistice Day.
In the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, people observe a two-minute silence. This happens at 11:00 am on 11 November. In Australia, it is one minute. The main ceremony often takes place on Remembrance Sunday. These days are formal but are not public holidays. A big service, the National Service of Remembrance, is held in London.
In the United States, Veterans Day honors all American veterans. This includes both living and deceased service members. The day for remembering those killed in action is Memorial Day. Some people, like writer Kurt Vonnegut, believe Americans should go back to observing 11 November as Armistice Day. They think it should be a day to think about how to achieve peace.
In France, the holiday is also called Remembrance Day (Jour du Souvenir). In Belgium, it is still called Armistice Day (Jour de l'Armistice).
Since 2012, 11 November has been a public holiday in Serbia. Serbian forces had many casualties in World War I. To remember them, people in Serbia wear a flower called Natalie's ramonda.
In Poland, 11 November is National Independence Day. It is a public holiday celebrating Poland becoming an independent country again in 1918. This happened after 123 years of being divided by other empires.
In Romania, Armistice Day is called Veterans' Day. It also marks the death of the first Romanian soldier in the Afghanistan war. Since 2015, the Romanian peony flower is used to honor Romanian soldiers who died in battle.
In Kenya, ceremonies are held two weeks after Armistice Day. This is because the news of the armistice took about two weeks to reach that area in 1918.
On 11 November 2018, the 100-year anniversary of the Armistice was celebrated. Leaders from over 60 countries gathered in Paris, France, at the Arc de Triomphe.
See also
- Timeline of World War I
