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Armistice Day: The End of World War 1

Updated on Nov 10, 2019. Originally added on Nov 10, 2018 by Kathy Pinna

On the 11th day of the 11th month at 11am in 1918, an armistice was signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany in Compiègne, France.

The Armistice ended hostilities on the Western Front of the War and led to the Treaty of Versailles, officially ending World War 1 in 1919. During the 4 years of active fighting, more than 70 million soldiers, including 60 million Europeans, were involved - making it one of the largest wars in history. About 9 million soldiers and 7 million civilians were killed in the war.

Still known as Armistice Day around the world, the day was re-named "Veterans Day" in the U.S. in 1954. Veterans of all wars are honored - living and dead. These family owned photos celebrate the heroes of WW1 from all over the world.

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Photos of World War 1 Soldiers

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Robert Menzies Adamson
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Robert Adamson
14 favorites
shared on 06/26/2014

Killed in action, 1917

Ambrosio Cantagallo
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Photo of Diane Brown Diane Brown
4 favorites
shared on 10/01/2018

Charles Matthew Ogden
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Peggy Campbell
4 favorites
shared on 08/24/2018
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Sgt. Paul Hileman
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Charles Lawrence Leeds
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Wilkie LaTrobe Harper
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World War 1 postcard

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Major William Ralph Cowell
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Photo of Joe Watson Joe Watson
8 favorites
shared on 02/24/2016

Killed in action, 1918

John Robert Murray
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Died 1918

Eric George Tibbenham
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Debbie Bignell
4 favorites
shared on 11/30/2015

Killed in action, 1917 - age 20

Eric George Tibbenham
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Photo of John Vaughn John Vaughn
104 favorites
shared on 11/10/2015

Killed in action, 1918

William, Reuben and Fred Gillespie
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Karissa Matson
13 favorites
shared on 10/23/2015

William and Reuben died, 1916

Edward Leslie Watmuff
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Nelson Howard Ulmer and Jay Slage
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Thomas Traill Gunn
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Michael Moylan
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Terry Moylan
3 favorites
shared on 02/14/2015

Harold Frank Douglas Lay
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Died 1918

British Army - South Wales Borderers
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Photo of Kevin Moss Kevin Moss
7 favorites
shared on 10/19/2014

Fighting in Flanders, France

James Henry Hyde
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Photo of Mike Agnew Mike Agnew
2 favorites
shared on 08/10/2014

Possibly killed by friendly fire, 1915, age 24

Hollis Joseph Kroetch
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Thomas Dunks
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Patrick Dunks
3 favorites
shared on 08/04/2014

Died when his ship was sunk 1915

Alexander Crerar
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Photo of Jonti Steel Jonti Steel
2 favorites
shared on 08/01/2014

Died 1918

William Edward Moorcroft
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Photo of Phil Ryan Phil Ryan
9 favorites
shared on 03/06/2014

Died 1918

George Wingrove
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Joy Pegrum
7 favorites
shared on 10/03/2007

Armistice Day in Indianoplis, Indiana, 1918
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To Hell with Kaiser BIll - We Made You Take a Bitter Pill

How WW1 began and who fought: On 28 June 1914, Austro-Hungarian heir Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated by a Yugoslav nationalist. On July 23rd, the Austro-Hungarian Empire issued an ultimatum to Serbia and, finding Serbia's response "unsatisfactory", the two moved to war footing. Alliances on both sides were invoked and Europe became involved in what was known as "The Great War."

Originating in Europe, the War soon involved alliances worldwide. On one side were the Allies (known as the Triple Entente): Britain, France, Russia, Italy and eventually, the United States (who entered the War in 1917). On the other side were the Central Powers (known as the Triple Alliance): Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria. Eventually, around 100 countries were involved in the War - providing soldiers, supplies, or both.

Have photos that you'd like to see included? Share your photos or click "next page" below to see more photos of veterans from other wars.

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