Monitor; All the News of the World: Armistice Day

Eighty years on, the world's press pays tribute

to the dead and the veterans of World War One

The Mirror

UK

WHO would have believed 80 years ago that there would be such scenes as the world witnessed yesterday? It says a lot for the human spirit that such remembrances can be held in a world which has changed so much. The First World War was to be the one which ended all wars. We learnt at a terrible cost that was not true. Wars will continue as long as there are tyrants who want to conquer other countries or crush other nations. Yesterday was a time to remember those who gave their lives. But EVERY day we need to remember why. And do what is necessary to prevent another generation suffering the same agonies.

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Le Monde

France

IF EUROPE wants to affirm its existence and its identity in the 21st century, it must not forget the history of countries once linked to its own. France wanted to honour Abdoulaye Ndiaye, 104, the last survivor of the Senagalese infantry men who distinguished themselves on the fronts from 1914 to 1918. Ndiaye died Tuesday, the evening before he was to be decorated with the Legion of Honour. But the blood debt is there, and France owes a debt to Africa, to Ndiaye's children and grandchildren, in Senegal, but also to his children here in France, without identity papers, in the streets of our cities.Europe must not re-create itself by shutting the rest of the world out.

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The Guardian

UK

THERE IS something valuable in the way remembrance joins us with our forbears and requires us to stretch our imaginations to encompass their lives, and deaths. Heavy injunctions about observing moments of silence are unnecessary and counterproductive. Compulsory memory, like rote learning, tends to be short-run and empty. The significance of 11am on the 11th is only this. We take peace (in this part of the hemisphere) for granted. An occasional moment of reflection on its blessings and its fragility has to be worthwhile.

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Las Vegas Sun

US

WHILE ARMISTICE Day was originally established to honour the establishment of peace following a horrific war, this nation should remember that many wars have been fought since. It is up to this nation to make sure that it is adequately prepared to fight a war, no matter how terrible, if in fact we are to continue to have peace. While our nation must remain vigilant, we should reflect on the enormous price men and women paid to further the cause of freedom. It requires reflecting constantly on the horrors of war for Americans to comprehend the need for continued vigilance, preventing future tragedies.

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The Sun

UK

On this somber anniversary, we should fall silent. The two minutes' silence at 11 o'clock is a time to honour those who died for their country. Not just those who fell in the so-called `war to end all wars' but those killed in World War II, Korea, Suez, Aden, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Gulf and other theatres of war. We enjoy liberty and peace today because they sacrificed their tomorrows. Two minutes is so little to give in honour of those who gave so much

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The Age

Australia

Anzac Day has become a de facto national day. Much of the nation will pause to reflect upon the contribution of those who gave much, sometimes all, for their country. Whether it is from curiosity or respect, it is a sign of our strengthening maturity. More certain is the role war played in forging our nation. More certain still is that we should never forget the sacrifices made, or the ultimate futility of war.