Former enemies during World War I united for ceremonies surrounding the 100th anniversary of the start of the conflict, with Belgium, France, Germany and Britain standing together at an Allied memorial Monday to commemorate one of the great early battles.
In a spirit of reconciliation, Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde welcomed German President Joachim Gauck under cloudy skies for the late-morning ceremony amid pomp and military honor.
Germany invaded neutral Belgium on Aug. 4, 1914 as part of a planned attack on France. By nightfall, Britain had joined the war.
The war wasn’t expected to last long. Instead of weeks, the continent was plunged into unknown hardship and misery for more than four years.
Gauck will join British Princes William and Harry at the Saint Symphorien cemetery late today for a similar remembrance. In Britain, there will be ceremonies in Glasgow, Scotland, and a candlelit vigil at London’s Westminster Abbey.
The U.S. joined the allies against the German and Austro-Hungarian empires in 1917 and provided a decisive impetus to break the deadlock before the Nov. 11, 1918 armistice.
Get more here: Services held on WW1 centenary bbc.in/1o3KHEF
Picture from Wikipedia
