Archive Collection

Grand Peace Pageant

Grand Peace Pageant

A programme for a Grand Peace Pageant held in Portsmouth on 19th July 1919. It was organised by the Pageant Committee of the League of Arts. A Peace Committee met in May 1919, led by the Foreign Secretary Lord Curzon, to organise celebrations for the end of World War One. Curzon outlined his plans for a four day celebration in early August, involving street marches and pageants. The signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28th June 1919 marked the official end of the war. This also meant that the Peace Day arrangements were moved forwards to a one day event on 19th July. The main celebrations took place in London, although smaller events occurred in towns throughout the country. Various groups took part in a march through the streets of Portsmouth. These included young citizens such as boy scouts and girl guides, Royal Naval and Women’s Royal Naval Service personnel, representatives of the Army, ambulance workers, and war workers such as land girls and munition workers. Various tableaux were also set up by groups of actors. There were historical reinactments such as ‘The Ten Centuries from Alfred the Great to Queen Victoria’. As well as the march, entertainments were put on in the evening. This included concert parties, music from the Band of the Royal Sussex Regiment, and a banquet. At 10pm, the town hall and town hall square were illuminated by electric lamps and coloured searchlights.