November 11th, 1918:

In Europe, World War I comes to an end after four years of fighting, as the Allies and Germany sign an armistice.

But peace does not last, as a second world war engulfs that continent as well as Asia some two decades later.

1620:

Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, anchored off Massachusetts, sign a compact calling for a "body politic."

That document becomes the foundation for the Pilgrims' government after they land in Plymouth.

2004:

Yasser Arafat, the longtime Palestinian leader, dies at a Paris military hospital at age 75.

1922:

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., who wrote "Slaughterhouse Five" and "Cat's Cradle", is born in Indianapolis.

And, 1974:

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, star of movies including Titanic and Gangs of New York, is born in Los Angeles.

Today in History, November 11th,__________,The Associated Press.