Armistice/Veterans Day bells 11 11 11

[UTUSN]

[FakeNoose]

1. Why did they choose November 11th as Armistice Day?

November 11th, 1918 - that was the day that fighting ceased in World War I (called The Great War.) But why did they choose that particular day? Because it had a peaceful meaning for the Germans as well as the Allies.

November 11th is revered in Germany as St. Martin's Feast Day, a day of religious observance. In peaceful times, German children would carry paper lanterns in parades for St. Martin and they'd receive candy or treats. Also November 11th is the first day of Carnival (Fasching) in German-speaking countries. By November 11, 1918 the Germans knew they were defeated: too many had died, too many were starving, meanwhile a terrifying virus was killing innocent people. It was time to call it quits. They accepted their defeat while the Allies celebrated victory in Europe and North America.

It was "The War To End All Wars" ... so they thought at the time.

[UTUSN]

2. Guns stopped & armistice signed on 11-11-1918. Treaty of Versailles a year later

[Brother Buzz]

3. Back in the day, EVERYONE wore red paper poppies

I understood they were made by our veterans in California's Veterans Home in Yountville

[Wednesdays]

4. In Flanders Fields

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.

[Brother Buzz]

5. Yes, and I learned that MUCH later

Back when I was a dumb kid, I just assumed the red poppies were California poppies.

[markie]

6. lot of my growing up was at the VFW Home...

my aunt presenting the Poppy to Pres. Hoover...





my grandmother, widow of a Veteran, spent all her years until retirement taking care of orphaned children of Veterans...





WWI, WWII, Vietnam... (I love you all)

[UTUSN]

7. Wonderful legacy