armistice

\AHR-muh-stus\

noun

: temporary suspension of hostilities by agreement between the opponents : truce

Veteran's Day (TODAY!) is in effect the generalizing of the much more specific ARMISTICE Day, which celebrates the—you guessed it—ARMISTICE signed between the Allies and the Germans, thereby ending WWI. The (superstitious?) participants decided the agreement would officially take effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month—a nod to the Feast of the Soldier, also celebrated on 11 November. I have to wonder whether a contemporary event would specify commencement down to the hour in this manner. Unusual.

In my search to find out how France celebrated the 92nd anniversary of the ARMISTICE, I incidentally discovered that French president Nicolas Sarkozy is married to former supermodel Carla Bruni. All the world is a stage, I suppose. Anyway, every November 11th, the president lays a ceremonial wreath by the eternal flame under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Upon a search for forthcoming WWI ARMISTICE 100th Anniversary events*, I discovered there are none.

YET.

*2018 in case you are unfamiliar with the concept of math.