The day commemorates the official end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. On this day, after four years of continuous warfare, the Germans were driven back by the allied armies and called for a suspension of fighting. The day is observed as Armistice Day in Belgium and France and as Remembrance Day in the UK and Switzerland. The day is also observed as Remembrance Day in Canada, on which those who died in World War I and World War II are honored. Up until 1954, this day was observed as Armistice Day in the US also. In that year, the day was renamed Veterans Day to honor veterans of all US wars.
At 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11, the carnival season in Germany, the Netherlands and some other countries opens. St. Martin’s Day (also known as Martinmas, Beggar’s Day, Beheading of the Goose Day and Mortens Day) marks the end of the autumn’s work and the beginning of winter work. It is also the feast day of St. Martin of Tours (316-397) and in Protestant countries commemorates Martin Luther.
Today is Independence Day for Rhodesia and its successor, Zimbabwe. Rhodesia was declared independent from Britain on this day in 1965. Queen Elizabeth II was still considered to be the official head of state up until 1970, when the country changed its system of rule to that of a republic. The country was never at peace, and on April 18, 1980, its name was changed to Zimbabwe after a lengthy struggle and numerous diplomatic endeavors.
Today is Lacplesis Day in Latvia. This is the official date for the commemoration of Latvian soldiers who repelled a massive German and Russian assault on this day in November 1919. “Lacplesis” is the name of an epic poem by Andrejs Pumpurs, a Latvian poet, who wrote it between 1872 and 1887. “Lacplesis” is regarded as the Latvian national epic.
Today is Independence Day in Angola. Angola declared its independence from Portugal on this day in 1975.
Today is Cartagena Independence Day in Colombia. This is a national holiday commemorating the declaration of independence from Spain in 1811.
Today is Republic Day in Maldives. This is a national holiday that commemorates the abolition of the sultanate in 1968.
Today is Independence Day in Poland. Poland regained independence in 1918 after having been partitioned among Austria, Prussia and Russia for more than 120 years.
On this day in 2004, Palestinian leader, Nobel Peace Prize-winner, president of the Palestinian state and chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and its Al-Fatah Party Yasser Arafat (b. 1929) passed away in a military hospital near Paris. Arafat is buried in Ramallah within his former headquarters.
Today is the anniversary of the birth of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky (1821-1881). Russian novelist Dostoyevsky is still one of the golden sons of Russian literature, best known for his “The Brothers Karamazov,” “Crime and Punishment” and “The Idiot.”
Gregorian Calendar: 11 November 2009 C.E.
Hijri Calendar: 24 Dhul-Qadah 1430 A.H.
Hebrew Calendar: 24 Cheshvan 5770
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