Our first experience of Armistice Day in France was an invitation to the service at the War Memorial held by the Maire in our children’s school village of Verdille in the Charente. I wore my black dress and formal coat, the family dressed smartly, and we all had our poppies on our lapels which had been knitted by the sewing group in our former village of Hurworth.
On arrival, we sensed we were over-dressed – our effort was hopefully appreciated and we think, naturally viewed as respectful. There was lots of interest concerning our poppies – in France, the symbolic flower is a “bleuet” which is a cornflower. I remember inwardly feeling as though I stood out like a sore thumb as the only British family from school. It was early days in France for us and I so much wanted to fit in. The school children took part in the ceremony, and I remember our daughter’s efforts with the National Anthem.
We too felt a strong sense of community and reflection – my husband and his family members have served and still do serve in the RAF. Even though I could not understand exactly what was said and I could not join in with the La Marseillaise, it was a shared moment that I will always remember.
There are services of Remembrance in every Commune throughout France and in every French city there is a military gun salute at 11am. Military Parades to war memorials are the same as those across Europe with world leaders present in Paris to lay wreaths and the Tricolore French National flag taking pride of place.
Given current world events, it is arguably more vital than ever that we learn from our common history and that the world and its leaders always remember them.
“Never again, plus jamais ca !”
FAQs
In 1922, Armistice Day was made a statutory holiday in France. To honour the fallen at 11 a.m. on November 11, every French city has a military gun salute, and wreathes are placed at WW I memorial statues, or graves. Also, there is a bugle call "for the dead".
What do you know about Armistice Day? ›
The Armistice, an agreement to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations, began at 11am on 11 November 1918. Armistice is Latin for to stand (still) arms. To this day we mark Armistice Day around the United Kingdom with a Two Minute Silence at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month.
What is Armistice Day in French? ›
Known as 'Jour d'armistice' in French, a one-minute silence in remembrance of the fallen is held at 11 A.M. with military parades organized across the country for the rest of the day.
How do you celebrate the Armistice day in France? ›
Armistice Day is a day of commemorating the fallen soldiers of World War I and other wars. Typically in Paris, this day is marked with a military parade along the Champs Elysees and past the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe.
What actually happened on Armistice Day and why is it celebrated? ›
Armistice Day, international holiday observed each year on November 11 to commemorate the end of World War I. The titular armistice was signed at 5:45 am on November 11, 1918, at Compiègne, in the region of Picardy, France.
What are some facts about the armistice? ›
The Armistice was the ceasefire that ended hostilities between the Allies and Germany on 11 November 1918. The Armistice did not end the First World War itself, but it was the agreement which stopped the fighting on the Western Front while the terms of the permanent peace were discussed.
What do we do on Armistice Day? ›
21st century. In the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, Armistice Day is observed with a two minute silence on the eleventh hour, with the main service taking place on Remembrance Sunday (also known as Remembrance Day). Both days are commemorated formally but are not public holidays.
What are some facts about Armistice Day in France? ›
In France, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time on November 11, 1920. To mark the solemn occasion, an unknown solider was interred at the base of the Arc de Triomphe (Paris, France) and given a full military honours. An eternal flame of remembrance was placed above his tomb three years later.
What do the French wear on Armistice Day? ›
In France, the symbol of remembrance and solidarity with WW1 veterans is the bleuet – the cornflower – a tradition which became common practice in the 1930s.
Why is it no longer called Armistice Day? ›
Armistice Day Changed To Honor All Veterans
Later, U.S. Representative Edward Page 2 Rees of Kansas proposed a bill that would change Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1954, Congress passed the bill that President Eisenhower signed proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.
As the day is a holiday off from school and work for many, the people of France often spend it with family. Common foods consumed on Armistice Day include pastries like crepes, éclairs, crème brulee, cream puffs and macarons. The sweet flavors provide some solace to the serious mood.
What did the French armistice do? ›
The Franco-German Armistice of June 22, 1940, divided France into two zones: one to be under German military occupation and one to be left to the French in full sovereignty, at least nominally. The unoccupied zone comprised the southeastern two-fifths of the country, from the Swiss…
Do they wear poppies in France? ›
The red remembrance poppy has inspired the design of several other commemorative poppies that observe different aspects of war and peace. In France, a bleuet de France is worn instead of a remembrance poppy to commemorate military personnel who died in war.
Is Armistice Day just for WW1? ›
Up to 13 million people died in that conflict, which became known as the "war to end all wars". While this special day was first commemorated to remember the huge losses after World War One, today the anniversary is used to remember all the people who have died in all wars since.
Why did WW1 end at 11am? ›
The Armistice with Germany was agreed to come into effect at 11am to allow time for the news to reach combatants. However, fighting continued in several places during and after that time, including on the Western Front.
How is Armistice Day remembered? ›
On the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month, a minute's silence is observed and dedicated to those soldiers who died fighting to protect the nation. At 11am on 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare.
What is Armistice Day known for? ›
These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as “Armistice Day.”
Why was 11 November chosen as Armistice Day? ›
The Allied powers signed a ceasefire agreement with Germany at Compiégne, France, at 11:00 a.m. on November 11, 1918, bringing the war now known as World War I to a close.
What do you need to know about Remembrance Day? ›
The first Remembrance Day was conducted in 1919 throughout the Commonwealth and Britain. Originally called Armistice Day, it commemorated the end of hostilities of the Great War in 1918. It came to symbolise the end of the war and provide an opportunity to remember those who had died.
