November 11 is Armistice Day, but what exactly are we commemorating?

November 11 marks Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I in 1918. The armistice took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, following negotiations in a train carriage in Compiègne. Although fighting ceased at that time, some battles continued until the last moments. The war, which began in 1914, involved major powers and resulted in millions of casualties. The signing of the armistice was a significant moment, as it ended a devastating conflict and set the stage for future geopolitical tensions. The time difference means Belgium commemorates the event at 11 AM, which is actually an hour earlier than the original time in 1918.