What happened on November 11th?

World War I ends

Author

Matthew Jones
November 11, 2024

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1918 World War I Ends

On November 11, 1918, World War I officially ended with the signing of an armistice between the Allies and Germany. This agreement, signed in a railway carriage in the Compiègne Forest in France, effectively ceased hostilities on the Western Front. The armistice came after four years of intense and devastating warfare between multiple nations, which resulted in significant destruction and loss of life. Marked by the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” this day is now commemorated annually as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in many countries, honoring those who served and sacrificed during the conflict.

An impromptu parade is held for the end of the conflict with Germany in World War I. It was taken on South High Street across from the State House, where over 200,000 people gathered in the streets of downtown Columbus, Ohio, to celebrate the defeat of Kaiser Wilhelm II. The M.C. Lilley & Company War Chest Unit can be seen at the center-right of the photograph.

🗞️Today’s Headlines

Everything important that’s ever happened on November 11:

1992 ─ The Church of England made a groundbreaking decision by voting to allow the ordination of women as priests. This opened new paths for female clergy and advanced gender equality within the Anglican faith.

1966 ─ NASA launched Gemini 12 and concluded the Gemini missions with a successful space rendezvous.

1920 ─ Armistice Day ceremonies honored the fallen of World War I with the burial of unidentified soldiers in both Paris and London.

1889 ─ Washington was admitted to the United States as its 42nd state.

1865 ─ Dr. Mary Edwards Walker became the first—and remains the only—woman to receive the US Medal of Honor, awarded for her extraordinary bravery and service as a battlefield surgeon during the Civil War.

1831 ─ Nat Turner was hanged after leading a slave rebellion in Virginia.

1813 ─ British troops defeated US forces at the Battle of Crysler's Farm during the War of 1812.

1778 ─ During the Cherry Valley Raid, Iroquois forces launched an attack on a frontier settlement in New York.

1493 ─ Christopher Columbus sighted the island of St. Martin on his second voyage.

1417 ─ Martin V was elected pope, effectively ending the Great Schism in the Catholic Church.

🎂 Today’s Birthdays

On November 11, we’re singing to:

Paracelsus (1493) ─ German-Swiss physician and alchemist who revolutionized medical practice by challenging established doctrines and promoting the use of minerals in medicine.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821) ─ Russian author celebrated for his exploration of the human psyche in works like Crime and Punishment, which laid the foundation for modern psychological novels.

Kurt Vonnegut (1922) ─ American novelist known for his satirical style and dark humor, whose works, including Slaughterhouse-Five, examine the absurdities of war and society.

Stanley Tucci (1960) ─ Actor, filmmaker, and screenwriter recognized for his versatile roles in film and television, known for adding depth and charisma to every character he portrays.

Demi Moore (1962) ─ Actress known for her iconic film performances, such as Ghost and GI Jane. She became a major figure in Hollywood’s transformation during the 1980s and 1990s.

Leonardo DiCaprio (1974) ─ Actor and producer known for his dedication to complex roles. He has earned acclaim for films that span genres and challenge cinematic conventions.

 🪦Who Died Today?

On November 11, we’re saying goodbye to:

Francesco Salviati (1563) ─ Italian painter associated with the Mannerist movement, known for his expressive and intricate frescoes that added dynamic artistry to Renaissance spaces.

Søren Kierkegaard (1855) ─ Danish philosopher and theologian whose writings on existentialism, faith, and individuality have influenced generations of thinkers and writers.

Mary Mallon, “Typhoid Mary” (1938) ─ Irish-American cook and historical figure identified as an asymptomatic carrier of typhoid fever, sparking debates in public health and ethics.

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