Why We Celebrate Remembrance Day

Memorial Day (previously, but now seldom, called Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The holiday is observed on the last Monday of May. The holiday was formerly observed on May 30 from 1868 to 1970. Remembrance Day (sometimes known informally as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of the remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states. Remembrance Day has been observed since the end of the First World War to remember armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.

Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed by Canadians and other members of the Commonwealth since the end of the First World War in order to remember all those who fought and died in the line of duty to keep us free. Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a moment of silence to honour and remember more than 2 million Canadians who have served, and continue to serve, Canada during times of war, conflict, and peace. If we do not remember, their sacrifice is meaningless.

Remembrance Day Canada 2020

A Brief History of Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth and was originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11:00 am. Until 1930, Armistice Day was held on the Monday of the week in which November 11 fell. In 1931 a bill was introduced to observe Armistice Day only on November 11, and to change its name to Remembrance Day. The first Remembrance Day was observed on November 11, 1931.

How People Celebrate Remembrance Day

Every November 11th, the official Canadian national ceremonies are held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, ON according to a strict protocol with the Governor General presiding over the ceremony. A service is held and armed services representatives lay wreaths. Church services are held across Canada, which often include the playing of “The Last Post”, a reading of “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, and two minutes of silence at 11:00.

Remembrance Day Song

Symbols of Remembrance Day

The most well known symbol associated with Remembrance Day is the poppy due to the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. At first real poppies were worn, but now most people wear replica poppies, and their vibrant red colour became a symbol for the blood spilled in the wars. There are a variety of war memorials throughout Canada as well in order to remember those who fought and died. By remembering the service and sacrifice of Canadians who served in the World Wars, we recognize the freedom that they fought to preserve. We must remember.

On Remembrance Day everyone in Britain is asked to remember the sacrifices made by others during times of war. The special day is also known as Remembrance Sunday because it falls on the second Sunday of November.

World War I ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, in 1918. The first day of remembrance took place one year later, on November 11, 1919. It was called Armistice Day (an armistice is a peace agreement). After World War II it was renamed Remembrance Day to include everyone who had died in both world wars. Today, people remember those who died in all wars.

The Cenotaph in London is a stone monument that is the focus of the nation’s Remembrance Day events. Its name means “empty tomb.” It was built to commemorate the ending of World War I. It was unveiled in 1920. A simple inscription on the stone reads “The Glorious Dead.” Many other cities, towns, and even villages now have cenotaphs to commemorate the local people who died in wars.

On November 7, 1919, King George V announced that a two-minute silence should be observed, “so that, in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead.” The two-minute silence is observed by the nation every year at 11 am on Remembrance Day.

Remembrance Day Poems

Poppies are delicate red flowers with tissue-like petals that grow wild in fields and hedgerows. In 1915 a Canadian doctor named John McCrae wrote a poem called “In Flanders Fields,” about the poppies that grew in battlefields where men had died. Today poppies have become a symbol for the loss of life and suffering during war. Paper poppies are made by disabled ex-servicemen and servicewomen. They are sold in the lead-up to Remembrance Day to raise money to help British people who served their nation.

Remembrance Day Activities

People in Australia, Canada, France, and the United States also honor veterans on a day in November. Canada and Australia also call the day Remembrance Day. It is Armistice Day in France and Veterans Day in the United States.