Every year on 11 November, Armistice Day is commemorated across Europe and the United States as it marks the effective end of the First World War – a day to remember the millions of lives lost to a years-long conflict.
Following days of negotiations that had seen the Germans come to the negotiating table after suffering heavy losses during the summer of 1918, German and Allied forces officially signed the armistice agreement around 5:00 AM on 11 November.
The armistice ordered both parties to terminate "hostilities on the Western Front, on land and in the air, within six hours of signature," ushering peace into Europe "on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month."
The document also ordered the "immediate evacuation" of German troops in invaded countries such as Belgium, France and Luxembourg "within 15 days following the signature of the armistice," and added that German soldiers who failed to leave those territories within this period would be made prisoners of war.
Honouring the Unknown Soldier
Since the armistice was signed, several monuments were constructed in cities across Europe to pay tribute to those who perished in the war. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was also erected, meant to honour the unidentified soldiers killed during the conflict.
In Belgium, this symbolic monument lies at the foot of the Colonne du Congrès – which celebrates the creation of the Belgian constitution and which is crowned by a statue of Leopold I, the first Belgian monarch – in the Brussels city centre.
On Armistice Day, commemoratory events are generally organised throughout Belgium and Europe, with Belgium's King Philippe taking part in a special military ceremony for the 100th commemoration of the Unknown Soldier, in honour of the deceased of the First and Second World Wars, as well as soldiers killed in humanitarian and peace missions since 1945.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo during the Last Post ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Ypres Memorial at the Menin Gate in Ypres last year. Credit: Belga/Kurt Desplenter
"In November 1922, five remains of Belgian unknown soldiers from the 'Great War' were transported to Bruges from various military cemeteries in our country," a press release by the Royal Palace stated. "There, on 10 November, the Unknown Soldier was designated to receive his eternal resting place at the foot of the Colonne du Congrès in Brussels on 11 November 1922."
This year's ceremony will include the screening of original footage of the ceremony on 11 November 1922. It will take place in the presence of the King, the Presidents of the Chamber and Senate, and representatives of the country's various governments.
In the city of Ypres, the scene of one of the bloodiest battles of the war, as well as of the unofficial Christmas Truce between German and British soldiers, crowds of people usually attend a commemoration of Armistice Day, during which army officers' rendition of the Last Post echoes through the Menin Gate war memorial.
What's open today?
Across the country, most employees are off work on Armistice Day, as it is one of Belgium's official bank holidays. As with other public holidays, public and administration services, such as postal and municipal services, will not operate; neither will banks.
Most Carrefour supermarkets will be open (but it is possible that their hours will be different than usual), as well as some of Delhaize’s smaller Shop’n’Go markets, but Aldi, Lidl and Colruyt shops will remain closed.
Most shopping malls and retail shops will be closed, including the Woluwe Shopping Center and Docks Bruxsel. Most other stores on the Rue Neuve in Brussels will also close their doors on Friday.
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The majority of restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as museums, amusement parks, zoos and parks, will be open to take advantage of people using the long weekend to treat themselves to a day or an evening out.
Belgium’s national railway service, SNCB, as well as Brussels public transport STIB and bus services De Lijn and TEC will continue to operate, but at a reduced service schedule.
