To mark Armistice Day, drawing the First World War to a close 96 years ago, French President François Hollande has laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.<br /><br /> It is to remember when — to paraphrase historian Margaret MacMillan — ‘Proud, confident, rich Europe tore itself to pieces, in a war that started over a squabble for power and influence in the Balkans.’<br /><br /> Commemorative events are being held in many places, notably at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres, Belgium. <br /><br /> The German invasion of neutral Belgium on 4 August 1914, in violation of international treaty, was the reason given by the British government for declaring war.<br /><br /> The disastrous Battle of Passchendaele was fought at Ypres.
