We considered the significance of 11November, Armistice Day, at our stage assemblies today. The word ‘armistice’ comes from two Latin words, arma (weapons) and sistere (to stop). An armistice is a truce, an agreement to stop fighting and be still. The eleventh day of November is known as Armistice Day because, this was the day, in 1918, when the First World War ended. It was agreed that the fighting should stop on the ‘eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month’. A year later, King George V, asked that people remember and hounour those who had died with a two minutes silence. Almost one hundred years later, Armistice Day continues to be a time to remember those who have died in war.
On Friday a two minutes’ silence will be observed by the school community. It will be a time for us to stand still and remember.
I remember we made the fact files about Rememberance Day. I enjoyed learning about the war. Not all children are protected from conflict. Article 38 of the UNCRC states that all children should have the right ‘to protection and freedom from war’ though.
I can remember when we made the little fact booklets.