This day in history: 11 november

Europa

• Armistice Day – The End of World War I (1918)
  On November 11, 1918, at 5:00 a.m., the Allied powers and Germany signed the Armistice in a railway carriage in the Compiègne Forest, France. This agreement ended the fighting on land, sea, and air in World War I between the Entente and Germany, marking one of the most significant moments in European history.
• The armistice went into effect at 11:00 a.m. Paris time, leading to the well-known phrase: “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”.
• The news of the armistice spread rapidly across Europe, with celebrations and public announcements in cities like Paris and London as people learned that hostilities had ceased.
• Despite the official ceasefire, some fighting continued up to and even after 11:00 a.m. in various locations due to delays in communication.
• Commemoration Across Europe
  November 11 is commemorated as Armistice Day in France, Belgium, and Serbia, and as Remembrance Day in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth nations. It is a day of remembrance for those who died in World War I and subsequent conflicts.
• In Poland, November 11 is celebrated as National Independence Day, marking the restoration of Polish statehood after 123 years of partitions. Józef Piłsudski’s assumption of power and the symbolic rebirth of Poland are closely linked to this date, as the armistice signaled the collapse of the occupying powers.
• 1918: Józef Piłsudski assumes supreme military power in Poland, symbolizing Polish independence.
• 1918: Emperor Charles I of Austria relinquishes power, signaling the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
• 1919: Latvian forces defeat the West Russian Volunteer Army at Riga in the Latvian War of Independence.
• 1920: The anniversary of the armistice is marked with the burial of unknown soldiers in Paris and London, establishing a tradition of honoring the unknown fallen.

America

• Veterans Day (formerly Armistice Day)
  November 11 is observed in the United States as Veterans Day, a federal holiday honoring all military veterans. The date originally commemorated the armistice that ended World War I in 1918, when the Allies and Germany agreed to cease hostilities at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”.
• The first Armistice Day was proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, focusing on honoring those who served in World War I. In 1954, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans, not just those from World War I.
• Veterans Day is marked by parades, ceremonies, and moments of silence across the country.
• 1620: The Mayflower Compact was signed by Pilgrims anchored off Massachusetts. This document laid the foundation for self-governance in the New World and is a cornerstone of American democratic tradition.
• 1831: Nat Turner, leader of a major slave rebellion, was captured and executed in Virginia, ending the most significant slave uprising in U.S. history.
• 1889: Washington was admitted as the 42nd state of the United States.
• 1911: An unusual weather event saw many Midwestern U.S. cities break both record highs and lows on the same day due to a powerful cold front.
• 1919: The Centralia Massacre occurred in Washington state, when violence erupted between members of the Industrial Workers of the World and participants in an Armistice Day parade, resulting in several deaths.
• 1921: The Tomb of the Unknowns was dedicated at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring unidentified American soldiers killed in war.
• 1926: The United States Numbered Highway System was established, creating the framework for the modern interstate road network.
• 1938: Irving Berlin’s patriotic song “God Bless America” was first performed, quickly becoming an American favorite.

Asia

• Singles’ Day (China)
  November 11, known as Singles’ Day or “Double 11,” originated in China as an unofficial holiday celebrating single people. The date (11/11) was chosen for its four “1”s, symbolizing single individuals. What began as a lighthearted celebration among university students has evolved into the world’s largest online shopping event, driven by e-commerce giants like Alibaba and JD.com. In recent years, Singles’ Day sales have reached record-breaking figures, with Alibaba and JD.com reporting a combined sales record of US$139 billion in 2021. The event has also spread to other parts of Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, and is now a major commercial phenomenon.
• 1855 – Edo Earthquake (Japan): A powerful earthquake struck Edo (modern-day Tokyo), causing extensive damage and fires in the Kantō region. The disaster resulted in the deaths of 7,000–10,000 people and destroyed approximately 14,000 buildings.
• 1865 – Treaty of Sinchula (Bhutan): Bhutan ceded territories east of the Teesta River to the British East India Company as part of this treaty.
• 1942 – Varlık Vergisi (Turkey): The Turkish parliament enacted a capital tax, mainly targeting non-Muslim citizens, with the unofficial aim of reducing their economic prominence.
• 1949 – Founding of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (China): The air force branch of the Chinese military was officially established on this day.
• 1962 – Kuwait: The National Assembly ratified the Constitution of Kuwait, marking a significant step in the nation’s political development.
• 2004 – Death of Yasser Arafat: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat died in Paris, an event with major implications for the Middle East peace process.

Africa

• Angola Independence Day (1975)
  On November 11, 1975, Angola gained independence from Portuguese colonial rule after a protracted liberation struggle. This marked the end of over 300 years of Portuguese presence and the birth of the Republic of Angola, making November 11 a national holiday and a key date in African decolonization history.
• Armistice Day / Remembrance Day (1918)
  November 11, 1918, marks the signing of the armistice that ended World War I. This day is commemorated across Africa, particularly in countries like South Africa, which contributed significantly to the Allied war effort. Over 83,000 Africans and 2,000 Coloureds from South Africa served in World War I, with many losing their lives. However, African soldiers often received little recognition for their service.
• The tradition of observing a moment of silence on November 11, which began in Cape Town, South Africa, spread globally and became a central part of Remembrance Day ceremonies to honor those who died in conflict.
• Unilateral Declaration of Independence by Rhodesia (1965)
  On November 11, 1965, the white-minority government of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) unilaterally declared independence from Britain. This move was internationally condemned and led to years of political struggle before Zimbabwe achieved recognized independence in 1980.