On November 11 the Allies celebrate the 100th anniversary of the armistice that brought an official end to World War I. Although there will not be fireworks, parades, or parties, people will celebrate the Allies triumphant victory in World War I.

World War I began in July 1914 when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Bosnia. The Austro-Hungarian empire blamed the Serbian government for the assassination and Germany stated they would support Russia in a war. By the beginning of 1915, war had broken out and there were over a million casualties.

In the first few months of 1917, German u-boats sunk several U.S. ships carrying goods and people to Great Britain. The United States also intercepted the Zimmerman telegram sent to Mexico encouraging them to join the Central Powers and win their land back from the United States. The United States felt targeted by both the actions because American lives perished and were in danger. Both these events caused the United States to retract their neutrality agreement and formally enter the war in April 1917 and making the Allies the powerhouse of the war with fresh supplies and well-trained soldiers. Along with the United States, the Allies pushed the Central Powers out of the western front and achieved victory.

During the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the armistice to end World War I was signed by Germany. The fighting of World War I, also known as “the Great War” or “the war to end all wars” had ceased after bring about 9 million deaths and 21 million injuries.

World War I left every involved country with no money, no resources, and in general, less citizens. The Armistice took a couple months to draft and although it temporarily brought peace upon the world, it was later the cause of a more destructive war in the future — World War II.