Ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, attended by the President of the United States and leaders of seventy countries
President Trump, along with leaders from 70 countries, attended a ceremony in Paris to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Exactly one hundred years ago, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, the raging flames of World War I subsided.
On this occasion, on Sunday, November 11, a grand ceremony was held in Paris, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, attended by President Trump and First Lady Melania of the United States, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and dozens of other world leaders.
In this speech, Mr. Macron expressed his hope that by learning from the lessons of the past world war, peace and tranquility would prevail in the world.
He said: "Long live peace between peoples of countries and governments. Long live free countries in the world. Long live friendship between peoples of countries and long live France."
President Trump tweeted his gratitude to the French President for hosting the event.
President Trump also visited the United States Military Cemetery in the town of Sérigny, a western suburb of Paris, on this day, and commemorated the American soldiers who died in World War I.
The remains of 1,541 American soldiers from World War I and 24 unknown soldiers from World War II are buried in the Søren Cemetery, which was established in 1917. The names of 974 American soldiers who disappeared at sea during the war are engraved on bronze plaques on the wall of the cemetery's chapel.
In Britain, one of the victorious governments of World War I, Queen Elizabeth II, along with the royal family and senior members of the British government, attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the graves of soldiers killed in Britain's wars.
In the Vatican, Pope Francis, the leader of the world's Catholics, addressed world politicians in a speech marking this day and called for peace and tranquility in the world.
He said: “Today marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, which, according to the former Pope, was a pointless slaughter. Today, at noon, our local time in Rome, the bells of all churches around the world will ring. The scenes of the First World War are a warning to all those who have not rejected the culture of war and have not made any effort to avoid it. The conflict still haunts many people and it seems that we never learn. While we pray for the souls of the dead, let us cry out to invest in peace, not war.”
In World War I, the Allied powers, including Britain, France, Russia, and the United States, emerged victorious against the Allied powers, including the German, Austro-Hungarian, and Ottoman empires, after four years.
The results of the end of this war included the end of the German, Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and Russian empires, the establishment of new countries in Europe and the Middle East, and the transfer of German, Ottoman, and Austro-Hungarian colonies to other powers.
Source: Voice of America
