This year is the 90th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice between the Allies and Germany which ended World War One. Also known as Remembrance Day it it usually marked with one or two minutes silence at 11am.(image from Flickr Kwok88 photostream)
At the time, New Zealanders joined in many parades and civic celebrations on November 12, the day the Armistice was officially announced here. In Auckland, Armistice Day celebrations were postponed until mid-1919 due to the influenza pandemic.
The Great War lasted from 1914 to 1918. Reports vary on the number of New Zealanders who died or were wounded. The total number of troops sent has been estimated at "10% of its 1914 population between the ages of 20-45."
There are over 500 public war memorials to remember those who fought in World War One. Typically they are in the main street of town. There are many variations - some have figures, others are obelisks. Not many civic buildings were built as monuments however the Auckland War Memorial Museum is an example of one. Some towns built gates such as the one at the entrance to the Wellsford Museum.
Army regulations allow the wearing of a small rose on uniform on Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday, in a similar manner to which poppies are worn on ANZAC Day.
To commemorate the 90th anniversary of Armistice Day, from October 2008 to March 2009, the return of soldiers to New Zealand is remembered in a series of events, talks, movie showings, exhibitions and recitals throughout the country.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
(Fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon's 'For the Fallen')
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