Armistice Day, also known as Remembrance Day, is a public holiday in Belgium observed annually on November 11th. The significant day marks the formal agreement that ended World War I, the Armistice with Germany which became effective on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Service members from Belgium and other Allied countries who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War I are remembered and honoured on this crucial date.
In Belgium, the holiday is a solemn occasion marked by numerous events throughout the country. A military parade is held in the nation's capital, Brussels, featuring the King of Belgium and various dignitaries. The parade passes by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the foot of the Congress Column. To respect and commemorate the soldiers who laid down their lives during the bloody conflict, a note of silence is observed at 11 a.m., and wreaths are placed at memorials and war cemeteries across the country.
Aside from the government and military functions, Armistice Day also observes a nation-wide school holiday, providing an opportunity for the younger generation to understand and reflect on the importance of peace. Exhibitions, readings, and tours at historic sites related to World War I additionally serve to educate the public about the profound influence of the war and remind them to uphold the values of peace and unity. Thus, Armistice Day in Belgium, while rooted in historical tragedy, is not only a day of remembrance but also a call for continuing peace.