When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?”

George Canning’s profound question is not lost on the City as it marks yet another the anniversary Armistice Day at St Mark’s Cathedral with a memorial service in honour of those departed in service of the Armed Forces.

Observed the world over, the Armistice Day signifies the official termination of World War I on November 11, 1918 when the treaty was signed between the Allies and Germany at Compiegne, France, at “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”.

Silence speaks

A one minute silence was observed at 11 am in memory of those who gave their lives for the Great War that blackened modern history for the first time.

After World War II, this mark of obeisance was extended to two minutes.
It is hence known as Veteran’s Day in the United States and Rememberance Day in the British Common Wealth of Nations and is a national holiday in Belgium and France. Homage is now also paid to those sevice men and women who have since died in subsequent wars.

Around the globe, the day provides a poignant opportunity for civilians to pay respect to those whose lives have been claimed by the grim reality of war and is a silent testament to the enormity of their sacrifice.
Open to one and all, the memorial service will be held between 10:30 am and 11:00 am at St Mark’s Cathedral.