Nations will pause for one minute at 11.00 am today to commemorate Remembrance Day and the end of World War I in 1919.
Following the 96 years since its outbreak, Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance will remember the lives lost throughout ‘the Great War’, which included 61,000 Australian deaths and 26,000 Greek deaths.
On this day, in 1918 at 11am, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years continuous warfare. That moment became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war and was marked by a minute’s silence for years to come.
As time went on, Remembrance Day took on new meaning, and became a day to remember all those who died or suffered for Australia’s cause in wars and armed conflicts.
Today Prime Minister Tony Abbott took the time to speak on Australia’s contribution to WWI while in China for the APEC summit.
‘From a population of under five million, 417,000 enlisted, 332,000 served overseas, 152,000 were wounded and 61,000 never came home,’ he said.
‘It was sacrifice on a stupendous scale. Every November 11, Australia renews its vow to never forget the sacrifice.
‘We pause to remember the suffering and loss that has occurred in all wars, for we are a country of memory, as well as memorials.
‘Today, we will remember the courage, achievements, pain and loss of all who have served in our name.
‘And we draw strength from their memory’.
Former prime minister John Howard will give a Remembrance Day address to mark the 96th anniversary of the armistice, but also recognise the 100 year anniversary of the Great War’s beginning.