This Is London - 8 November 2019

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ARMISTICE DAY 2019
The annual Armistice Day Service will
be held on Sunday 10 November at the
Cenotaph in Whitehall to honour the
servicemen and women who sacrificed
their lives for their country. The service
has changed little since it was first
introduced in 1921 – hymns are sung,
prayers are said and a two minute silence
is observed on the stroke of 11 o’clock,
the World War One moment of ceasefire.
Wreaths are then laid by the Royal
Family, leaders of the Armed Forces and
politicians. The ceremony concludes
with a march past of war veterans, an
enduring gesture of respect for their
fallen comrades. Visitors will line the
streets for the service in Whitehall or
watch the screens in Trafalgar Square.
Armistice Day is commemorated on
11 November to mark the armistice
signed between the Allies of World War I
and Germany at Compiègne, France,
for the cessation of hostilities on the
Western Front of World War I, which
took effect at the ‘eleventh hour of the
eleventh day of the eleventh month’
of 1918.
The first Armistice Day service was
held at Buckingham Palace, with King
George V hosting a ‘Banquet in Honour
of the President of the French Republic’
during the evening of 10 November
1919. Armistice Day events were also
held in the grounds of Buckingham
Palace on the morning of 11 November
1919. This would set the trend for a day
of Remembrance for decades to come.
HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT TOURS –
WHERE HISTORY IS MADE
While the politicians are preparing for
the General Election on 12 December,
visitors to London can discover the
history and heritage of the world-famous
Houses of Parliament and find out how
the UK Parliament works as extra tours
of the building will be available
throughout November.
You will travel through the Commons
Chamber and the Lords Chamber, where
many passionate debates have taken
place (and still do), follow in the
footsteps of Her Majesty the Queen at
the State Opening, and be inspired by
Westminster Hall which is almost
1,000 years old.
The Lords Chamber.
Photo: UK Parliament/Roger Harris.
For 90 minutes, a knowledgeable
guide will take you on an entertaining
and informative tour. Alternatively, set
your own pace using the new
multimedia guides and choose one of
the nine language options. Special
versions of the guided and self-guided
tours are available for families visiting
with children.
Advance booking for tours is
recommended but not always essential.
You can book tickets online at
parliament.uk/visit, by telephoning
020 7219 4114, or on the day at the
Ticket Office located in front of Portcullis
House on Victoria Embankment.
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