back then Canada was British
But I overlooked that one
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Lawrence_Price#November_11,_1918
2 minutes before 11.
I've visited his grave in Sint Symphorien, he is buried just meters from the First British KIA.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Parr_(British_Army_soldier)
Yes, they knew they had to cease fire at 11h
They did it anyway. They had orders, and somehow felt they could have one last bash before the cease fire.. So in part they are to blame as well. Anybody who still went out after 10AM, knew there was to be a stop at 11..
But it started with the Generals that wanted to keep pushing just to make sure. Pershing and the French were adamant in that.
They ran around 2500 casualties a day in those last days.
Christmas day was in 14 ,the true scope of that war hadn't set in yet.. by Dec 15 that illusional thinking was long gone.
It is a statutory holiday in Belgium& France. Obviously the Germans have little to celebrate.
Brits celebrate it on the sunday after I think. They call it Remembrance Day
Bankholidays are rarely on the day itself but either weekend after or monday after.
I would expect that life ground to a halt at 11 today for a moment of silence.
probably just as impressive to have a working day on cue go full quiet.