Samoa observed Armistice Day on 11 November to honour the legacy of those who served in World War I. The date commemorates the anniversary of the 1918 armistice, which formally ended hostilities on the Western Front after four years of global conflict.
At the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” a moment of silence was observed in Apia and around the world, remembering the estimated 8.5 million soldiers who lost their lives.
In Samoa, members of the Returned Services Association (RSA) led a ceremony at the Town Clock Memorial in Apia. This annual gathering serves as a focal point for local commemorations, where wreaths are laid, and respects are paid to those who sacrificed for peace. The ceremony included a moment of silence to reflect on the service and loss experienced during the Great War.
As reported by Savali Newspaper, the event was attended by Acting Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Iosefo Ponifasio, President of RSA Samoa Malietoa Faamausili Moli, and representatives from allied nations, including Australian High Commissioner Will Robinson and New Zealand High Commissioner Sialei Van Toor.
Members of the New Zealand Defense Force also participated in the wreath-laying ceremony, acknowledging the shared history between Samoa and New Zealand during the war.
Records from New Zealand’s Christchurch City Libraries document that 122 men from Samoa served in World War I. These soldiers, enlisted under New Zealand’s administration at the time, were part of the broader effort that saw contributions from the Pacific region. Their service is remembered in annual Armistice Day ceremonies, both in Samoa and in New Zealand.
Armistice Day has been observed in Samoa since 1919, with ceremonies honouring the impact of global conflict on small nations. For Samoa, the annual observance reflects the country’s historical role and the sacrifices made by Samoan soldiers who served under foreign command.
