Major Mike | Today in History 11/11 (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier)

Honor guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington, Virginia, in 1921 (© Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [LC-USZ62-94538])

(1921) The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is dedicated in Arlington

The remains of an unknown US soldier killed in the First World War have been interred in a tomb in Arlington National Cemetery, and US President Warren Harding consecrates the monument known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Many more soldier remains will follow.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or the Tomb of the Unknowns is a monument dedicated to U.S. service members who have died without their remains being identified. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States of America. The World War I “Unknown” is a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the Victoria Cross, and several other foreign nations’ highest service awards. The U.S. Unknowns who were interred are also recipients of the Medal of Honor, presented by U.S. Presidents who presided over their funerals. The monument has no officially designated name.

Address: Memorial Dr, Arlington, VA 22211
Phone: 1 (877) 907-8585
Opened: 1921
Architect: Thomas Hastings

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery, on 11 November 1922. View is of the south side of the Tomb looking north. Was replaced in 1931 by the present marble Tomb

Tomb as of November 11, 1922. The Tomb of 1931 would occupy this same location.
wiki/Tomb_of_the_Unknowns

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(1921) The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is dedicated in Arlington.
Also on this day,

1852 | Louisa May Alcott sees her first published story in print

American writer Lousia May Alcott, 21, receives $5 in payment from the Saturday Evening Gazette, a Boston weekly, for her story “The Rival Painters: A Story of Rome.” Alcott will go on to publish several more stories in the Gazette before writing the popular children’s novel, “Little Women.”

1918 | The ‘war to end all wars’ has itself finally ended as First World War ends

Germany and the Allies sign an armistice to end the war at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. Over 16 million people have died in four years of fighting. The First World War is described as “the war to end all wars” due to the bloody devastation. This day will hereafter be known as Armistice Day.

2000 | Disaster strikes an Austrian train

A funicular railway crammed with skiers turns into death trap when it catches fire in an Alpine tunnel. Toxic smoke and flames overwhelm the passengers, which include many children, claiming 115 lives. Only 12 people escape. A heater turns out to be the source of the fire.

Today in History ^11/11/17

People celebrate along Broadway near Times Square in New York as news of the armistice spreads on November 11, 1918 (© AP)

(1918) The 'war to end all wars' has itself finally ended

Germany and the Allies sign an armistice to end the war at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month. Over 16 million people have died in four years of fighting. The First World War is described as "the war to end all wars" due to the bloody devastation. This day will hereafter be known as Armistice Day.

An armistice is a formal agreement of warring parties to stop fighting. It is not necessarily the end of a war, since it may constitute only a cessation of hostilities while an attempt is made to negotiate a lasting peace. It is derived from the Latin arma, meaning "arms" and -stitium, meaning "a stopping".