Armistice
A selection of documents and artworks we hold about Armistice: Read more below 
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On 11 November 1918 an armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, which took effect at 11.00am - the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month". While this official date to mark the end of the war reflects the ceasefire on the Western Front, hostilities continued in other regions, especially across the former Russian Empire and in parts of the old Ottoman Empire.
Armistice celebrations in NZ were overshadowed by influenza epidemic, more visual celebrations in June/July 1919 after signing of Treaty of Versailles. Armistice muted experience in some communities with patriotic concerts, displays etc being cancelled including Auckland because of influenza. Many places went ahead with long planned celebrations, the resulting crowds helping to spread infection from towns to rural areas.
Armistice Day was marked solemnly in New Zealand until the 1960s, but was eventually overshadowed by ANZAC Day.
