The empires of Russia, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey were gone, replaced by a bewildering array of new countries and new political systems. And as if that were not enough, when the war ended, the entire governing structure of Europe had been overturned. Huge armies were deployed and fed into the industrial meat-grinder of modern weapons. Often called the First Industrial War, the Great War used rapid-firing rifles and artillery, machine guns, airplanes, and submarines, which were far more effective than 19th Century weapons. The carnage on the battlefield was incredible. Countries around the globe lost millions of their young men, with still more injured, often crippled. World War I was a catastrophe of previously unimagined proportions. There is justifiably great public reverence surrounding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This included a military formation representing all of the services, a warplane flyover, a public flower ceremony lasting several days up to November 11, and a ceremony in the Rotunda of the U.S. On November 11, 2021, there was a ceremony to commemorate that event. His remains could not be identified, and the inscription on the tomb, he was “known but to God.” He was intended to represent all of the soldiers who died during the war. 11, 1921.One hundred years ago, on November 11, 1921, an American soldier who fell in the Great War, was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. It will recognize the internment of the World War I Unknown Soldier and the dedication of the tomb exactly one hundred years ago, on Nov. The cemetery explains that while ceremonies are held at the tomb almost every day, this particular commemoration was mandated in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. Visitors must have a government-issued ID and are encouraged to bring their own single-stem flowers, but the cemetery says it will distribute complimentary roses, gerbera daisies and sunflowers.Īdditional rules and restrictions can be found here (no selfies, for example). The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemoration Public Flower Ceremony is free and open to the public on Tuesday and Wednesday, with registration required. Stacy Wittmeyer kisses her daughter, Margaux Wittmeyer, 2, as her other daughter, Brynly Wittmeyer, 3, looks on after they and their family laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the centennial celebration.

Tomb of unknown soldier