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armistice day

In pictures: 96 years ago today, peace broke out

Today marks Armistice Day.

TODAY MARKS 96 years since the signing of the First Armistice at Compiégne, the document that effectively ended World War I.

It went into effect at 11 am on 11 November 1918, and marked a victory for the Allies and a complete defeat for Germany, although they never technically surrendered.

It called for the cessation of fighting, the withdrawal of German troops, large-scale dismantling of German military equipment and heavy penalties for terminating the agreement.

The armistice, named for the forest in which it was signed, led to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, which would officially end hostilities in western Europe.

Here is how the armistice was signed in pictures.

French Field Marshal Ferdinand Foch designed much of the plan after commanding allied forces during the war. Here, he is seen with members of his staff standing behind him, watching the march past of his victorious troops on Armistice Day in Strasbourg, France.

ARMISTICE DAY STRASBOURG AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Here he is with the Allied delegation. He is second from right.

WORLD WAR I/ARMISTICE AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Troops celebrated the news

Armistice Day 1918 AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

WWI VICTORY AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Armistice Day 1918 AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Armistice Day 1918 AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Armistice Day 1918 AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Armistice Day 1918 AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

As did Americans in Paris (top) and New York, along with President Woodrow Wilson and his wife Edith (bottom)

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NYC ARMISTICE DAY CELEBRATION AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

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Armistice Day 1918 AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Armistice Day 1918 AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

WOODROW WILSON AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The news was greeted in England, too.

World War One - British Empire - The Home Front - Armistice Day - 1918 A newspaper seller on Aldwych, sells copies of the Evening News, as his display board proclaims 'Victory' for the allies. S&G and Barratts / EMPICS Archive S&G and Barratts / EMPICS Archive / EMPICS Archive

World War One - UK & Commonwealth - The Home front - Armistice Day - 1918 Crowds outside Buckingham Palace. PA PA

ARMISTICE DAY 1918 Crowds outside Buckingham Palace PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

War - World War One - Armistice Day London greets the news Tophams Tophams

Read: Today marks 100 years since the Battle of Mons – this video shows Ireland’s involvement

Read: These prints show how artists reacted to World War I

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