11 Nov 11
Apparently, 11/11 is celebrated in the US as WWI Armistice Day. 11/11 is likewise celebrated in the US a veteran's day. This is more of a Holiday in the US than is V-E Day and I gather the same is true in the UK.
Does this make sense though? Does it make more sense to celebrate peace and victory and our militaries on the date of the end of WWI or the day of the end of WWII?
Originally posted by sh76The reason is simple enough - World War I happened first. And Remembrance Day (as we call it here) was an established institution before World War II broke out.
Apparently, 11/11 is celebrated in the US as WWI Armistice Day. 11/11 is likewise celebrated in the US a veteran's day. This is more of a Holiday in the US than is V-E Day and I gather the same is true in the UK.
Does this make sense though? Does it make more sense to celebrate peace and victory and our militaries on the date of the end of WWI or the day of the end of WWII?
Remembrance Day (and Remembrance Sunday, the nearest Sunday to the 11th, when most public ceremonies take place) is quite a sombre affair here - not really a celebration so much as a commemoration. We're not so much "celebrating peace and victory" as reflecting with admiration and sorrow on the courage and sacrifice of those who had to fight and die so that we could live happier and freer lives. A lot of people still do the customary thing and wear paper poppies in the weeks leading up to Remembrance; and most workplaces stop work at eleven o'clock for a one or two minutes' silence. I know also one or two people who make sure they're in church on Remembrance Sunday, even though they're not regular churchgoers.
- Joined
- 29 Dec 08
- Moves
- 6788
12 Nov 11
Originally posted by sh76There was a V-E day, (Victory in Europe) commemorated on May 8, 1945 in the US, and a V-J day (Victory over Japan), commemorated on Sept. 2 in the US.
Apparently, 11/11 is celebrated in the US as WWI Armistice Day. 11/11 is likewise celebrated in the US a veteran's day. This is more of a Holiday in the US than is V-E Day and I gather the same is true in the UK.
Does this make sense though? Does it make more sense to celebrate peace and victory and our militaries on the date of the end of WWI or the day of the end of WWII?
But more importantly, the name was changed to Veteran's day in the US after WWII. So it's not Armistice day in the US.
"...after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting in its place the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars."
http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp
- Joined
- 29 Dec 08
- Moves
- 6788
13 Nov 11
Originally posted by AThousandYoungIf you are referring to WWII being a repeat of an unlearned lesson, I suggest it was a continuation of war due to an inadequate and incomplete resolution of WWI. Then we did learn -- both Germany and Japan were rebuilt with aid from the victors instead of a debilitating economic penalty being exacted. Of course, other lessons were provided by WWI and not learned, like the fact that strategic carpet bombing strengthens resistance instead of weakening it. It seems it takes at least a couple of iterations of a lesson, but it is learned.
They did repeat it.
13 Nov 11
Originally posted by TeinosukeIn Holland some people really take offence if you do not hold the 2 minutes customary silence at Remembrance Day (even if you are not disruptive to anyone). Of course some of these people are the same people who voted for parties who sent down soldiers to mow down civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hypocrites.
Depends on the person, I suppose.
13 Nov 11
Originally posted by JS357Yeah, that's about it. But what could have done so we would not have been a falure as to "inadequate and incomplete resolution?"
If you are referring to WWII being a repeat of an unlearned lesson, I suggest it was a continuation of war due to an inadequate and incomplete resolution of WWI. Then we did learn -- both Germany and Japan were rebuilt with aid from the victors instead of a debilitating economic penalty being exacted. Of course, other lessons were provided by WWI and not learn ...[text shortened]... weakening it. It seems it takes at least a couple of iterations of a lesson, but it is learned.