World War I officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, fighting had ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor veterans of World War I, but in 1954 the 83rd Congress amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With this legislation, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Info from the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Photograph of James L. Alley, wearing a worn suit and newsboy cap, standing outside on a field at an unidentified location. Alley was from the town of Sparta in Alleghany County, NC. He served in World War I as a Private in the 313th Infantry, 79th Division, U.S. Army. – From the NC State Archives .
James Levi Alley was born January 2, 1893, in Alleghany County. He “Died of Accident” July 18, 1918, at the age of 25 while serving in France in World War I. He was buried in Shiloh Cemetery.
Portrait of Andrew J. Higgins, wearing his Marine Corps uniform, standing in front of an American flag. He was from Alleghany County, NC., and served during World War I in the U.S. Marine Corps. – From the NC State Archives .
Andrew Jackson Higgins was born on August 23, 1892 and lived in Ennice when he registered for the Service. He “Died of Accident” June 24, 1892, while serving in the Marines in France.
Cropped real-photo postcard of William E. Weaver of Alleghany County, NC., shown standing in his full Army uniform, with a rifle at his side and a decorative sword on his belt. He served during World War I in Company G, 28th Infantry, 1st Division, U.S. Army. – From the NC State Archives .
Corporal William Everett Weaver was born in June of 1897, in Piney Creek. He was killed in action, on July 19, 1918, at Chaudun, France. He is listed on the “Tablets of the Missing” at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France.
From the U.S. Army Center of Military History website
