Armistice Day in Belgium commemorates the end of World War I in 1918 and honors all those who lost their lives in the war and in subsequent conflicts. The day marks the signing of the armistice between the Allies and Germany, which brought peace after four years of devastating fighting, much of it on Belgian soil. It is a day of remembrance, gratitude and reflection on peace and the resilience of the Belgian people.

When is Armistice Day?

Armistice Day in Belgium is observed on November 11 every year.

The following is the list of Armistice Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Armistice Day?

Armistice Day marks the end of World War I and serves as one of the most solemn days of remembrance in Belgium. The holiday commemorates the armistice signed at Compiègne, France, on November 11, 1918, between the Allied Powers and Germany, which took effect at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, ending more than four years of brutal conflict.

Belgium's role in World War I was uniquely tragic and heroic. When Germany invaded Belgium on August 4, 1914, violating its neutrality, the country became one of the first battlefronts of the war. Cities like Liège, Leuven, and Ypres were devastated, and much of western Belgium became a landscape of trenches, mud, and destruction. The fierce resistance of the Belgian Army, under King Albert I, became a symbol of courage and determination, earning Belgium international respect and sympathy.

After the war, the Belgian people began commemorating the armistice to honor the soldiers and civilians who died defending their homeland. The first Armistice Day ceremonies were held in 1919, and the day was later declared a national public holiday. Memorials were erected across the country, most notably the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, which bears the names of more than 54,000 Commonwealth soldiers who died in the Ypres Salient and have no known grave.

One of the most moving traditions associated with Belgian Armistice Day is the "Last Post" ceremony, first performed under the Menin Gate in 1928 by the Ypres Fire Brigade. Except during World War II, this ceremony has been held every evening at 8:00 PM to honor those who fell for freedom. On November 11, thousands gather there for a special remembrance, joined by veterans, dignitaries, and families from around the world.

Across Belgium, church services, military parades, and wreath-laying ceremonies take place each year. The nation pauses to remember not only the end of the First World War but also the human cost of all wars and the importance of peace.

Today, Armistice Day in Belgium stands as both a tribute to sacrifice and a reminder of resilience, reflecting the country's central place in the history of World War I and its enduring message: never again to war.