Armistice Day and Remembrance Overview
Historical Context
Date and Time:
The Armistice took effect at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918.
Significance:
It marked the end of fighting in the First World War as a precursor to peace negotiations.
Etymology:
"Armistice" is derived from Latin, meaning to stand (still) arms.
Armistice Day Commemorations
Tradition:
Observed with a Two Minute Silence at 11am on 11th November each year throughout the United Kingdom.
Purpose:
To remember and honor those who served and sacrificed their lives in the First World War and subsequent conflicts.
National Memorial Arboretum
Event:
Annual Armistice Day Service of Remembrance.
Focus:
Commemorates the signing of the Armistice.
Remembers all military personnel who have died in service since 1914.
Remembrance Sunday
Date:
Held on the second Sunday of November.
Location:
The Cenotaph in London.
Attendees:
Senior members of the Royal Family, including His Majesty The King.
Members of HM Government.
Event Features:
National Service of Remembrance.
A March Past involving 10,000 veterans.
Key Points
Armistice Day:
Marks the end of World War I hostilities.
Observed with a Two Minute Silence.
National Memorial Arboretum Service:
Live broadcast remembrance event.
Honors fallen service members since 1914.
Remembrance Sunday:
Held annually at the Cenotaph.
Attended by key national figures.
Includes a significant veterans' march.
History of Veterans Day: Bullet Point Notes
End of World War I
- Treaty of Versailles: Signed on June 28, 1919, officially ended WWI.
- Armistice: Temporary cessation of hostilities began at 11am on November 11, 1918.
- Significance of Date: November 11, 1918, is regarded as the end of WWI.
Observance of Veterans Day
- Date: Observed on November 11, regardless of the day of the week.
- Purpose: Honors America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice.
Veterans Day Timeline
- 1919
- President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day.
- Celebration involved parades, public meetings, and a brief suspension of business at 11:00 a.m.
- 1926
- U.S. Congress recognized the end of WWI with a concurrent resolution.
- Encouraged commemorating the anniversary with thanksgiving, prayer, and peace-promoting activities.
- Requested the President to issue a proclamation for observance.
- 1938
- May 13: An Act made November 11 a legal holiday known as "Armistice Day" dedicated to world peace and honoring WWI veterans.
- 1954
- Post-WWII and Korean War, Congress amended the 1938 Act to change "Armistice" to "Veterans."
- June 1: Legislation approved, making November 11 a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
- October 8: President Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation.”
- VA Administrator designated as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee.
- 1958
- White House advised that the 1954 designation applied to all subsequent VA Administrators.
- 1968
- Uniform Holiday Bill signed on June 28 to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees.
- Affected holidays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day.
- Many states continued celebrating holidays on their original dates.
- 1971
- First Veterans Day under the new law observed on October 25, 1971, causing confusion.
- September 20, 1975: President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97.
- Returned Veterans Day observance to November 11, starting in 1978.
### What Is Veterans Day?
- Purpose: Celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of all U.S. veterans.
- Common Confusion: Often confused with Memorial Day; some Americans are unaware of its significance.
### History of Veterans Day
- Original Name: Formerly known as Armistice Day.
- End of WWI: Armistice signed on Nov. 11, 1918.
- 1938 Legislation: Nov. 11 dedicated to world peace and honoring WWI veterans.
- 1954 Legislation: Name changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all American veterans.
- 1968 Uniform Holiday Monday Act: Moved Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October.
- Result: Confusion and disagreement among states.
- 1975 Legislation: Returned observance to Nov. 11 starting in 1978.
### Celebrating Veterans Day
- Federal Government Observance: If Nov. 11 falls on a non-workday, observed on the nearest weekday.
- State and Local Observance: Determined locally; businesses may choose to close or remain open.
- National Veterans Awareness Week: Designated by U.S. Senate Resolution 143 in 2001 to educate students about veterans' contributions.
### Difference Between Veterans Day and Memorial Day
- Memorial Day: Honors service members who died in service or from battle injuries.
- Veterans Day: Honors all living veterans who served honorably.
### President Dwight Eisenhower's 1954 Letter
- Proclamation: Signed to observe Veterans Day on Nov. 11, 1954.
- Veterans Day National Committee: Formed to coordinate observance.
### Additional Facts About Veterans Day
- Correct Spelling: "Veterans Day" (no apostrophe) signifies a day for honoring veterans.
- Historical Date Change: Uniform Monday Holiday Act (1968) moved it to October, but reverted back to Nov. 11 in 1978.
- Name Change: Armistice Day changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to include veterans of subsequent wars.
- Marine Corps Birthday: Celebrated on Nov. 10, often with Veterans Day, includes a 96-hour liberty period.
- Mayflower Day Proposal: A small group once proposed renaming Armistice Day to Mayflower Day; it did not gain support.
Armistice Day:
An agreement to end the fighting of World War I
Prelude to peace negotiations
Began @ 11 am, 11 November 1918
Armistice: Latin for to stand (still) arms
Marked around the UK with a 2-minute silence @ 11 am on 11/11
Armistice Day Service of Remembrance
Commemorates signing of the Armistice
Remembers those who gave their lives since 1914
Remembrance (Poppy):
Red poppy:
A symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future
Worn to show support for the Armed Forces community
History and inspiration:
The Western Front:
Most fighting took place in Western Europe
Blasted and fought over a lot
Landscapes turned to mud; nothing could grow
Fields of poppies:
Poppies grew in the middle of the chaos and destruction
Spring 1915:
Canadian doctor Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae moved by the sight of poppies
Led him to write the poem: ‘In Flanders Fields’
The Spread of Poppy as a Symbol:
Inspired American academic Moina Michael to adopt poppy to honor those who had fallen in war
Campaigned to get it adopted
French woman Anna Guérin in London in 1921 planned to sell the poppies in London
Meets Earl Haig (founder) and he was persuaded to adopt the poppy as the emblem in the UK
9 million poppies ordered
Sold Out!:
First ‘Poppy Appeal’ raises over 106,000 pounds
Today, 40k volunteers distribute 40 million poppies
Poppy Popularity Grows:
Major George Howson sets up Poppy Factor to employ disabled ex-servicemen
Demand for poppies unabated and high, few poppies even manage to reach Scotland
Haig’s wife establishes ‘Lady Haig Poppy Factory’ to produce poppies exclusively for Scotland
Over 5 mil still handed by disabled ex-servicemen and distributed by sister charity Poppyscotland
An enduring symbol:
Remembrance in the UK is diff from today; people have individual practices/beliefs and poppy remains a symbol of Remembrance and hope
The New Practice Free Poppy:
2023 Poppy Appeal, new plastic-free poppy made from paper
Made from bespoke red and green paper manufactured by papermaker James Cropper
Paper made from a blend of renewable fibers
Once manufactured, giant rolls of the paper are transported to the British Royal Legion’s warehouse in Kent
Paper cut and crimped
Packed and distributed across the UK