After three years of Cold War armed conflict on the peninsula of Korea, an armistice was signed ending hostilities between the North and South Koreans, establishing a demilitarized zone along the 39th parallel. This zone is still manned by a huge U.S. military presence today.
Having just won a landslide election as president in 1952, Dwight Eisenhower shared the news of the armistice with the nation from the White House on July 27, 1953.
My fellow citizens:
Tonight we greet, with prayers of thanksgiving, the official news that an armistice was signed almost an hour ago in Korea. It will quickly bring to an end the fighting between the United Nations forces and the Communist armies. For this Nation the cost of repelling aggression has been high. In thousands of homes it has been incalculable. It has been paid in terms of tragedy.
With special feelings of sorrow–and of solemn gratitude–we think of those who were called upon to lay down their lives in that far-off land to prove once again that only courage and sacrifice can keep freedom alive upon the earth. To the widows and orphans of this war, and to those veterans who bear disabling wounds, America renews tonight her pledge of lasting devotion and care.
Our thoughts turn also to those other Americans wearied by many months of imprisonment behind the enemy lines. The swift return of all of them will bring joy to thousands of families. It will be evidence of good faith on the part of those with whom we have signed this armistice….
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