Remembrance Day or also known as Armistice Day is on the 11th of November every year.
Remembrance Sunday is marked on the second Sunday of November which this year is on the 13th. Remembrance Day is a day which marks the end of the First World War in 1918. At 11:00AM there is a 2 minute silence held across the UK as a mark of respect and reflection for those who lost their lives. This has happened since 1919 when King George held a two minute silence a year after World War One ended. Remembrance day is not just about World War 1, it is to remember those who have died in any war.
Why do we wear poppies?
Every year Poppy wreaths are laid over war memorials and graves of soldiers. You may have also seen people walking around with a poppy attached to their clothes. This is again to show respect for those who have died. All donations that are made when buying a poppy are given directly to the Armed Forces community.
During the war fields were destroyed and meant that plants and flowers couldn’t grow. However, thousands of poppies grew across the fields, hence why we now use them as a symbol of remembrance. Wearing a poppy also shows support to the armed forces.
Below is a video reciting the poem written by Canadian doctor Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae who was inspired by the poppies that grew in the battle fields after the war.
The poem is called ‘In Flanders Fields’
There is a Festival of Remembrance hosted at the Royal Albert Hall to commemorate the soldiers who have lost their lives in a battle. There are live musical performances on Saturday 12th November at 2:00PM and 19:00PM. There will also be Remembrance day services on Sunday the 13th November for Remembrance Sunday. Various Remembrance parades will be held in cities across the country as a mark of respect.
There is a National Service of Remembrance which is held at The Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday. The Royal Family, former Prime ministers and members of the Armed forces will all be there to pay tribute.