Eloise Ogden/MDN This is the front page of The Minot Daily News on July 27, 1953, the day when the Korean War ended.

Seventy years ago today was the end of the Korean War.

On July 27, 1953, The Minot Daily News reported the war’s end to its readers in an Associated Press story out of Seoul, South Korea. Following is a portion of that story

“Shooting stopped along the Korean battlefront at 10 p.m. tonight (7 a.m. Minot time) bringing the abrupt halt (of) 37 months of death and destruction.

“While ground fighting was all but nil in the final hours mounting Communist artillery fire took its toll of Allied soldiers up to the last minute.

“At 10 p.m., a hush fell over the front.

“The last man to die may never be named. Nor, perhaps will the last hero.

“The front, usually aflame at this hour of night, just grew dark.

“As the clock ticked off the seconds, they grew more brave.

“The last reported barrage – the final one of the Korean War on the central front – lifted at 9:43 p.m.

“The fighting there, at least ended in silence.”

The fighting ceased with the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953.

Here’s some historical facts from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs about those who served in the Korean War including:

There were 6.8 million American men and women who served during the Korean War period from June 27, 1950-Jan. 31, 1955.

Actual hostilities occurred from June 27, 1950-July 27, 1953. However, the war period was extended to Jan 31, 1955, by Congress to define a period of benefit eligibility in the wake of uneasy peace negotiations after July 27, 1953.

There were 54,200 deaths of Americans in service during the period of hostilities from 1950-53. Of these, 33,700 were actual battle deaths.

There were 7,140 prisoners of war during the Korean War. Of these, 4,418 returned to the United States, 2,701 died and 21 refused repatriation.

There have been 131 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor among Korean War veterans.

Of the 6.8 million U.S. military men and women who served in the Korean War, several thousand were from North Dakota.

The Korean War, occurring between World War II and the Vietnam War, often is called “the Forgotten War.”

Let’s remember the veterans who served in this war and their families.