Every November 11, the armistice of 1918 is commemorated. That day, at 5:45 a.m., in Marshal Foch's lounge car, German Minister of State Erzberger signed the armistice, marking the end of the fighting in the First World War (1914-1918), the victory of the Allies and the total defeat of Germany. The official ceasefire started at 11 a.m.
But it was not until the signing of the peace treaties at Versailles, on June 28, 1919, that the end of the conflict was definitively established. Nevertheless, it is the date of November 11 which is chosen to commemorate the end of this war which left, for all the belligerents, more than 18.6 million dead, disabled and mutilated, including 8 millions of civilians.
Why does the head of state systematically lay a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier?
On November 8, 1920, a law was passed for a tribute to be paid to the remains of an unidentified soldier “who died on the field of honor” (the unknown soldier buried a few months later under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris) . Every November 11 and every May 8 (Armistice Day 1939-1945), the Head of State places a wreath of flowers on the tomb of the unknown soldier.
Since a law of February 2012, it is no longer just the deaths of the First World War but “ all the dead for France », ancient and current conflicts, which are honored on November 11.
Could it be deleted?
After Pentecost, the government plans to eliminate a second public holiday to finance national solidarity. The measure, supported by the Minister of the Budget, Laurent Saint-Martin and the Minister of the Economy and Finance, Antoine Armand, and supported by the former Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin could soon be debated in Parliament.
“This is part of the debates that we will have in Parliament. I think that anything that allows our country to show that we can work harder to participate in the recovery effort is going in the right direction. » declared Laurent Saint-Martin, the Minister of the Budget on TF1.
More than a hundred years after the armistice of the Great War, when all the soldiers who fought are now dead, could November 11 be threatened? Laurent Saint-Martin has for the moment not wanted to designate a particular day on the calendar: “You have to allow flexibility for it to work. » As for the Solidarity Day which was initially placed on the day of Pentecost before being left to the free discretion of companies.
