World pauses to mark WWI Armistice centenary

By Laura Smith-Spark and Sheena McKenzie, CNN

Updated 1:23 p.m. ET, November 12, 2018
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11:32 a.m. ET, November 11, 2018

Here's what happened at Armistice centenary services around the world

Our live coverage has ended for the evening, but stay with CNN to read more about Armistice centenary commemorations. Here's everything you need to know:

US First Lady Melania Trump, US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.
US First Lady Melania Trump, US President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.

  • French President Emmanuel Macron, rebuked nationalism at a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, saying, "Nationalism is a betrayal of patriotism."

  • US President Donald Trump was widely criticized for canceling a visit to an American cemetery 50 miles outside of Paris on Saturday due to rain, which sometimes grounds the Marine One helicopter. The President visited a different American cemetery, this one much closer to Paris, on Sunday.

  • A topless protester with the words "fake" and "peace" written on her body ran at Trump's motorcade as it was approaching the Arc de Triomphe, before being apprehended by authorities.

  • In London, Queen Elizabeth II and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier laid wreaths at the Cenotaph war memorial. More than 10,000 people also walked through the city past the Cenotaph.

10:40 a.m. ET, November 11, 2018

Trump: "It is our duty to preserve the civilization they defended"

By CNN's Sheena McKenzie

Trump speaking at Suresnes American Cemetery.
Trump speaking at Suresnes American Cemetery.

US President Donald Trump paid his respects to the thousands of American soldiers who died in World War I, saying, "It is our duty to preserve the civilization they defended and secure the peace they so nobly gave their lives for one century ago."

Speaking at Suresnes American Cemetery, just outside Paris, Trump called out to six US veterans from World War II who were in the crowd, and a 13-year-old American boy who had saved his money to attend the event.

"On this day in the year 1918, church bells rang out and celebrations ensued," Trump told the crowd.

"But victory had come at a terrible cost," he added. "Countless would come home bearing the grisly scars of trench warfare."

Paying tribute to the French and American soldiers who fought side-by-side, Trump said: "You cannot fight better than we fought together."

10:09 a.m. ET, November 11, 2018

Trump visits Suresnes American Cemetery 

By Sheena McKenzie, CNN

US President Donald Trump is at Suresnes American Cemetery, just outside Paris, where 1,541 Americans who died in World War I and 24 from World War II, are buried.

Trump will "make a speech in honor of our great heroes!" he wrote in a tweet.

The president is due back in Washington by Sunday evening.

9:19 a.m. ET, November 11, 2018

Scotland's moment of silence

By CNN's Sheena McKenzie

Thousands of people across the UK have taken part in Armistice anniversary services -- including in Scotland.

Members of the armed forces gather at Fort William, in northwest Scotland, to honor those who fought in WWI.
Members of the armed forces gather at Fort William, in northwest Scotland, to honor those who fought in WWI.
Veterans march through Fort William to mark Armistice Day.
Veterans march through Fort William to mark Armistice Day.

9:10 a.m. ET, November 11, 2018

Trump baby blimp flies in Paris

From CNN's Saskya Vandoorne

A giant blimp of a baby Donald Trump was launched in central Paris, in protest against the US President's visit to the city.

The blimp, which depicts a baby Trump clutching a mobile phone and sporting a diaper, was first floated in London in July also in protest against the President's UK visit.

An Anti-Trump protest is due to take place in Place de la Republique later Sunday.

The Trump baby blimp in Paris.
The Trump baby blimp in Paris.

Sophie Haas is one of 15 Trump "babysitters" minding the blimp.
Sophie Haas is one of 15 Trump "babysitters" minding the blimp.

“It’s important for me to be here today to send a message to Macron for having invited Trump," said Sophie Haas, who helped to organize the blimp demonstration.

"By inviting Trump, Macron is supporting Trump’s racist, xenophobic, sexist policies all over the world," she said.

"We’re hoping for a few thousand people [at the protest] and praying the rain won’t dampen spirits!”

8:05 a.m. ET, November 11, 2018

Faces of WWI soldiers etched onto beaches

By CNN's Sheena McKenzie

Giant portraits of fallen World War I soldiers have been etched into the sand of 32 beaches across the UK, as part of Armistice anniversary commemorations.

Visitors gather at Sunny Sands Beach, Folkestone, in south east England, to see the art installation.
Visitors gather at Sunny Sands Beach, Folkestone, in south east England, to see the art installation.

Oscar-winning British filmmaker Danny Boyle oversaw the project, called "Pages of the Sea."
Oscar-winning British filmmaker Danny Boyle oversaw the project, called "Pages of the Sea."

7:55 a.m. ET, November 11, 2018

Russia remembers

By CNN's Sheena McKenzie

As Russian President Vladimir Putin joined world leaders in Paris, back in Russia commemoration services were being held across the country.

The Russian Empire, which had a population of around 150 million people, suffered 1.7 million deaths during the war.

Russian honor guards carry wreaths at a war cemetery outside Saint Petersburg.
Russian honor guards carry wreaths at a war cemetery outside Saint Petersburg.

Members of a military history club wearing World War I uniforms attend a ceremony outside Saint Petersburg.
Members of a military history club wearing World War I uniforms attend a ceremony outside Saint Petersburg.

7:16 a.m. ET, November 11, 2018

In photos: World War I, then and now

Associated Press photographer Laurent Rebours recently visited sites across the former Western Front and took pictures, comparing the scenes now to what they looked like in 1918.

7:09 a.m. ET, November 11, 2018

Pope calls for end to world conflict on Armistice centenary

From CNN's Livia Borghese in Rome and Nada Bashir in London

Pope Francis marked the World War I centenary by calling for an end to world conflict.

Speaking during his Sunday Angelus, Francis said: “The historical page of the First World War is a severe warning for all to reject the culture of war.

“While we pray for all the victims of that immense tragedy, let us say forcefully -- let's invest in peace, not in war,” he added. 

Italy will mark the Armistice centenary at 1.30 p.m. (7:30 a.m. ET), when the bells of St Peter’s Basilica will ring in commemoration.