One hundred years ago today, the Allied powers signed a ceasefire agreement with Germany at 11am, on the 11th day of the 11th month. One year later President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day.
The World War I Memorial on South Main Street features a frieze symbolizing the virtues of our citizens during the war. Inscribed above the frieze are the names of the major battles of the World War in which Rhode Islanders fought.*
The Battle of the Aisne perfectly typifies the endless slaughter of the so-called “war to end all wars.” According to Wikipedia, this was actually three separate battles:
First Battle of the Aisne (12–15 September 1914), Anglo-French counter-offensive following the First Battle of the Marne
Second Battle of the Aisne (16 April–9 May 1917), main component of the Nivelle Offensive
Third Battle of the Aisne (27 May–6 June 1918), third phase (Operation Blücher) of the German Spring Offensive
And so it went, back and forth, from 1914 through 1918.
The Library of Congress explains how the name transitioned from Armistice Day to Veterans Day, when it became apparent that The Great War did not turn out to be the “war to end all wars.”
Between the world wars, November 11 was commemorated as Armistice Day in the United States, Great Britain, and France. After World War II, the holiday was recognized as a day of tribute to veterans of both wars. Beginning in 1954, the United States designated November 11 as Veterans Day to honor veterans of all U.S. wars. British Commonwealth countries now call the holiday Remembrance Day.
*Hidden Treasure: Public Sculpture in Providence by Robert Freeman and Vivienne Lasky.