Armistice Day is celebrated around the world on November 11 ever since the end of WWI, when the day was dedicated to the cause of world peace and to the end of all wars. Joyous peace bells rang out on 11/11 at 11 AM in cities everywhere on that day. Bells are still rung for peace in many nations around the world at 11 AM on 11/11. Red poppies are worn as a symbol of peace, after it was noted how poppies sprang up in the disturbed ground of former battlefields.
The U.S. Congress made it a federal holiday in 1938 with a resolution stating the date “marked . . . the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed.”
But in 1954, the U.S. Congress re-branded the holiday Veterans Day, shifting the focus away from a celebration of peace to a glorification of warriors – and of war. In cities across the U.S., the ringing of peace bells has been replaced by gun salutes, fighter plane flyovers and military parades.
Now, though, it’s more urgent than ever to ring the bells for peace. Our political arena is filled with hate. The U.S. is engaged militarily in multiple countries around the world. Our Department of Defense has been renamed the Department of War. We are witnessing the militarization of our cities and brutal crackdowns on dissent. Our president is threatening to invade Venezuela, demanding the resumption of nuclear weapons testing, and turning allies into enemies with his petty trade wars.
Veterans For Peace is leading an effort to reclaim Armistice Day. Veterans know that the best way to honor their sacrifices is to promote peace and decry war. They want future generations to never experience the horrors and destruction of war. VFP says No! to more war and calls for justice and peace, equality for all people and an end to all oppressive and violent policies. Let’s begin to build a culture of peace instead of a culture of war.
Tomorrow, November 11, please honor our veterans in the best way possible, by finding (or hosting) a peace vigil in your city to celebrate Armistice Day, and ring a bell for peace at 11:00 AM.
