1918, armistice(s)
From before to after the 11th of November
Press illustration by William Allan Rogers (1854-1931) published in the "New York Herald" newspaper in November 1918 © Washington, Library of Congress
Press illustration by William Allan Rogers (1854-1931) published in the "New York Herald" newspaper in November 1918 © Washington, Library of Congress
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To mark the centenary of the Great War and the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice of 11 November 1918, the Musée de l'Armée is offering a documentary exhibition from 24 July to 30 September 2018, entitled 1918, armistice(s). From before to after the 11th of November. The Arquus company is supporting the exhibition and the restoration of the Renault FT tank, which will be inaugurated on the same occasion.
In order to put on this exhibition, the Musée de l'Armée has drawn on its own document archives and collections but also those of partner institutions, like La Contemporaine library (formerly the Bibliothèque de Documentation Internationale Contemporaine de l'Université de Paris Ouest), the Musée Clemenceau in Paris, the Library of Congress in Washington and a private collection.
This documentary exhibition looks back at the seven armistices signed between 5 December 1917 and 13 November 1918, and some of their consequences. The aim is to understand how, after the general and immediate relief felt when fighting ends, perceptions change according to temporalities and nationalities, and especially the division between victors and vanquished. Complex processes of grief, disillusionment and/or resentment shaped people's opinions, while states and veterans' associations developed remembrance policies.
Nowadays, from a broader and more peaceful perspective, the 11th of November is still a major day of celebration in many countries.