Today, this country honors its veterans -- those who have fought in and survived combat. As noted in an op-ed piece in today's New York Times, other countries use this date to remember their war dead -- especially those that perished in the First World War. There is, however, another reason for the commemorations -- one that is almost lost in both of these traditions -- one that this country used to recall when the holiday was known simply as "Armistice Day".
Ninety years ago, the great armies of the world laid down their arms, finally ending the "War to End All Wars". The 1918 Armistice ended the bloodiest conflict in human history, when it took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. There was symbolism and expectation in the moment, and there has been nothing but disappointment since, for those who hoped that modern civilization could bring about an end to warfare. The League of Nations was wholly ineffectual, and unable to prevent the fascist-led wars that consumed Europe and the world in the 30s and 40s. The United Nations has survived longer the League, but hasn't had much success in creating a Golden Age of peace.
In 1999, a filmmaker named Jeremy Gilley had the idea for an International Day of Peace. He began a campaign to get international recognition of this date. Two years later, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously made September 21st the International Day of Peace. The idea was to create a yearly holiday from war and violence -- "the first-ever annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence".
There was a certain irony in creating this holiday only 10 days after the attacks of September 11th brought down the World Trade Center, only a few miles from the U.N.'s doorstep. The significance of the date was that it commemorates the founding of the U.N. itself. Gilley's program has produced a powerful video on the subject, with appeals made by noted actors, as well as the Dalai Lama. You can see a trailer for the video and learn more about Gilley's efforts at PeaceOneDay.org.
Last year, not knowing of Gilley's efforts, I had my own brainstorm about the coming centennial anniversary of the 1918 Armistice. My idea was to create the momentum to a real global ceasefire. I began laying some of the groundwork for an effort I've called "The Armistice Project".
A year ago, I posted a diary on this site -- "The End of All Wars - 89 Years Ago, Today" -- announcing a plan for an 11-year effort, aimed at creating a movement which could bring about the public pressures needed to bring about a global cease-fire. My thesis is that a one-day cease-fire can be the launching point for extended cease-fires. If parties can stop fighting for one day, they can find ways to stop any ongoing conflict. Basically, I agree with Gilley's vision, but I think his program needs a more dramatic symbol to create the political will needed to get warring parties to lay down their arms, even for one day. That symbol is the 100th anniversary of the 1918 Armistice.
There was a great deal of political energy in this country over the last year, invested in creating the wave of support that carried Barack Obama and the Democratic Party to convincing victories last Tuesday. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I was no exception. Caught up in the excitement of this unprecedented campaign year, I found little time for my little brainchild. It was clear that working to bring about change in this country had to be my first priority, and I would like to think that I played my part.
Unfortunately, the world has not moved in a hopeful direction over the past year: The Ethiopian occupation in Somalia has turned into an enormous refugee crisis, as Mogadishu has been emptied of almost every living soul; the conflict along the Afghan-Pakistan border has intensified; in Sri Lanka, the government formally withdrew from the 2002 cease-fire agreement with the Tamil rebels and fighting has intensified during a government-led offensive; fighting continues in Iraq; the genocidal conflict continues in Darfur; the fighting in Congo ("the Kivu Conflict") has become so serious that is now probably the deadliest since WWII (over 5 million fatalities during a decade of almost ceaseless conflict) -- recent fighting has threatened the world's largest refugee camp in Goma; and Russia fought a war for control over parts of Georgia, leaving concerns about Russian intentions in the region, including with respect to Ukraine. Even South American tensions have boiled, as war has seemed possible between Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador.
In short, while individual conflicts may wax and wane, there seems to be no end to the impetus of people to take up arms against others.
For me, personally, the time has come to give my project the energy I think it deserves. A year ago, my original Armistice Project diary -- The End of All Wars - 89 Years Ago, Today did get some attention, when the Diary Rescue people found it. Maybe the Diary Rescue folks will favor me again, and keep this diary from simply disappearing from the scroll?
Alas, that did not turn into any real offers of support and involvement. Of course, we were all involved in more immediate priorities. One year later, I've returned to renew my appeal. With the election now behind us, I will be reviving the Armistice Project. In the weeks ahead, I will be adding the missing pieces of the website, and taking the steps needed to realize a viable, legally-recognized organization.
Perhaps, the September 21st date can serve as a viable marker for a global cease-fire, but I think the powerful symbolism of the Nov. 11th centennial will create a dynamic that the current International Peace Day will never have. We can use the ten years generating the publicity and interest that will be required to bring about such an historic event. I understand the date has less meaning outside of the Western world, but I am convinced that the Nov. 11, 2018 anniversary presents an historic opportunity that may never come again.
I can envision many NGOs coming together to back this initiative. Ultimately, governments can be persuaded to support the effort, and to use the United Nations as a vehicle to enlist all member nations in this idealistic project. First, a resolution of support, followed by "boots on the ground", as diplomatic efforts are organized to make the vision a reality.
I hope that you all can get excited about this idea, and help me in developing a significant internet presence, and in starting local chapters which will work to generate international political support for the project. My idea is to have project chapters across the globe. Ultimately, I hope to get the U.N. to recognize the symbolic opportunity presented by the coming anniversary -- to create working groups that will be dedicated to making the global cease-fire a reality.
Gilley has already achieved the first step, with the U.N. endorsing the idea of a Peace Day. The real trick is to get concrete movement towards realizing the vision of a day without armed combat. If the past year proves anything, it shows what a grass-roots movement can really achieve in today's interconnected world.
If you're interested in getting involved with the Armistice Project, please drop me a line at fischy@comcast.net. That address may change in coming weeks, when I finally give Comcast the boot -- but it will be good for at least the next month. Or you can write at my more permanent address of efischman@aol.com (but I would prefer to use other addresses for AP business). There will also be links at the Armistice Project site to contact me -- which I will update -- and eventually a listserve will be generated (or other interactivity will be created) so that other Project members can contact each other directly. I'm certainly open to any and all suggestions about what form this should take, and how to best communicate.
I look forward to a fruitful decade hopefully working with many of you on this important goal.