We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culture

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Armistice Day?

Jessica Ellis
By
Updated: Feb 02, 2024
Views: 41,188
References
Share

Armistice Day is a holiday celebrated annually on 11 November to commemorate the end of World War I and the service of armed forces around the world. The tradition was begun in England, though Canada, France, Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand also participate. In the United States, the holiday is called Veteran’s Day and has evolved into a broad remembrance day for soldiers who fought in any American war.

Celebrating the End of the Great War

In November of 1918, the toll of World War I — called at that time “The Great War” — had reached exceptionally high numbers. Under threat of countryside rebellion, German forces sought a meeting with the Allied forces to hammer out a peace treaty, known as an armistice. Famously, the treaty was made effective at 11 AM on 11 November, giving it the interesting historic distinction of being ratified at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. The armistice ended fighting on the Western Front, an agreement that would be confirmed by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919.

Creation of a National Holiday

The next year, England’s King George V declared 11 November “Armistice Day,” a national holiday to honor the men who had defended England during the war. Banks, schools, and most public offices are mandated to be closed in observation of the day. At that time, the world had never seen a war as devastating as the conflict wracking Europe. Approximately 40 million of the world’s citizens died during the war, many due to battle and many more to disease and bad conditions. The original Armistice Day was the first dawning of hope for Europe for many years, and it is deservedly remembered as a great human triumph.

Other countries with soldiers in the war quickly followed England’s lead and established similar national holidays of their own. Most of the original allied forces celebrate Armistice Day in some form or another.

Ways to Commemorate the Day

Different countries have different traditions when it comes to celebrating and remembering the day, but common activities include visiting the graves of soldiers killed in the war and holding parades, concerts, and events in honor of veterans. Many countries have also adopted the tradition of wearing red poppies or decorating graves with these flowers on Armistice Day. The origin of this form of remembrance traces back to a famous poem about the war by Scottish soldier and veteran John McCrae called “In Flanders Field.” The first line of the poem mentions poppies growing over the graves of soldiers, and the verse became one of the most famous memorials of the war. Even today, some refer to Armistice Day as Poppy Day, and many people wear a pin with real or artificial flowers.

Growth and Expansion Over the Years

Armistice Day traditions have grown and expanded as the world has undergone more wars. After World War II, the United States changed the name of its official holiday to Veteran’s Day to cover the veterans of all wars. Veteran’s Day mirrors the corresponding American Memorial Day, which is held each May. In the United Kingdom, many of the traditions that were originally part of Armistice Day observances are now celebrated on the nearby Remembrance Sunday, held the second Sunday of each November.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Jessica Ellis
By Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis brings a unique perspective to her work as a writer for WiseGeek. While passionate about drama and film, Jessica enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics, creating content that is both informative and engaging for readers.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By dega2010 — On Nov 17, 2010

@googie98: As the article stated, Armistice Day is a remembrance day for those who died in World War I. Several churches hold special services on Armistice Day. There are also military parades that travel to war memorials and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris.

Public officials, such as the president of France, lay flowers and wreaths at war memorials. Most people wear black or dark colored clothes.

In France, Armistice Day is a public holiday so the post offices, banks, and many other businesses are closed. The national flag of France (tricolor) is very important on Armistice Day. It is 1 ½ times as wide as it is tall. It consists of 3 equal vertical bands colored blue, white and red.

By googie98 — On Nov 17, 2010

What are some different ways that Armistice Day is celebrated?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica Ellis...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-armistice-day.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.