It was 90 years ago today
November 11, 90 years ago, marked the official end of World War I hostilities on the Western Front.It became a holiday in Britain, France, the U.S., and several other countries originally known as Armistice Day.
After World War II, the name was changed to Veterans Day in the U.S. and to Remembrance Day in the U.K. and other Commonwealth countries. France still notes Armistice Day. Poland celebrates Polish Independence Day. Belgium observes a Day of Peace. Volkstrauertag, or national day of mourning is celebrated in Germany about the same time (two Sundays before the first of Advent on the Catholic and Protestant church calendars, i.e. about 6 weeks before Christmas).
Do your students know why there's no commemoration of these events in China? (China has a holiday on August 1 called "Army's Day.") in Nigeria? in Iran? in Mexico? (Official Mexican holidays include Cinco de Mayo, Navy Day on June 1, and Los Niños Héroes on September 13.) in Russia? (Russia does commemorate May 9th as Victory Day.)
And do you students know what those other holidays commemorate?
Labels: pedagogy, political culture
posted by Ken Wedding @ 6:13 AM
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