National Remembrance Day

Young adults wearing formal attire, carrying poppies, marching to the rhythm of bagpipes, with a backdrop of historic architecture and a field of dandelions in the wind.. — National remembrance day illustration

Oh, snap! It's time to find your formal wear for a march down memory lane, petal by petal, to the rhythm of bagpipes. We are talking about National Remembrance Day here - a beautiful day of remembrance that blows more mentions online than dandelion seeds in the wind! Let's hunker down, tidy up our poppies, and find out what's what, shall we?

When is Remembrance Day?

It's national remembrance day on the 11th November.

A Salute to History

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we pause in memory of the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The tradition began in 1919, a year after the end of World War I, and since then, the day has been observed in many countries across the world, not just the ones with extra fancy uniforms.

Internet Buzz: The Numbers Don't Lie

We've crunched the data and found that this day made the internet turn red (not with anger, just pure poppy love). On an annual average, there were 7484 mentions online, with 11th November 2015 being the champagne-popping, confetti-exploding day having the most mentions!

A Cornucopia of Remembrance

It's not just about parades and monuments though! We commemorate this day by joining in a moment of silence, gifting poppies, or even sharing stories about emphasis on courage, bravery, and what it means to serve. Some even mark the day by offering a toast (non-alcoholic of course), to the heroes. There’s literally no wrong way to show your respect, unless you forget, in which case yes, that’s wrong.

Remember to Remember

So, next time when you're carving the turkey on Thanksgiving or showering someone with love on Valentine's Day, give a thought to this less commercial, but way more important day. Put on your black armbands, pin your poppies, and remember that freedom isn't free; it was paid for dearly by the ones we remember today.

History behind the term 'Remembrance'

1530

The Early Meaning

The term 'remembrance' originated in the early 16th century and initially referred to the act of recalling or remembering something from the past. The word comes from the Old French 'remembrer' which means 'to remember'. During this period, the term had a more general meaning and was not specifically associated with any commemorative practices or events.

1919

Remembrance Day Commemorates World War I

In 1919, the term 'remembrance' gained significance when it became closely associated with the commemoration of the end of World War I. On November 11th, the armistice that brought an end to the war was signed. This day was soon recognized as Armistice Day, and people started observing it as a time to honor and remember the sacrifices made by the soldiers during the war. The word 'remembrance' symbolized the gratitude and respect people had for those who served their countries.

1945

Armistice Day Becomes Veterans Day in the United States

In 1945, following the end of World War II, Armistice Day in the United States was renamed Veterans Day. This change was made to recognize and honor the service of all military veterans, not just those who served during World War I. 'Remembrance' continued to be associated with Veterans Day as a way to remember all the men and women who bravely fought to protect their country's freedom.

1997

Remembrance Sunday Established

In 1997, the term 'remembrance' gained another layer of significance when Remembrance Sunday was officially established in the United Kingdom. This day, which falls on the second Sunday of November, became a national day of reflection and remembrance for the British Commonwealth countries to honor the members of the armed forces who lost their lives in the line of duty. It is marked by ceremonies, parades, and two minutes of silence at 11 am, a time chosen to coincide with the signing of the Armistice in 1918.

2003

National Poppy Day Introduced in the United States

In 2003, the American Legion introduced National Poppy Day in the United States. This day, observed on the Friday before Memorial Day, aims to honor fallen soldiers, support active military personnel, and raise funds for the well-being of veterans and their families. The red poppy flower, which is a symbol of remembrance, is worn to show support and gratitude for the sacrifices made by veterans. The term 'remembrance' took on a new dimension as it became associated with this specific day and the symbol of the poppy.

Did you know?

Did you know? The red poppies we pin on our clothes for Remembrance Day are not only a symbol of remembrance, but they're also inspired by the World War I poem 'In Flanders Fields'! Poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of WWI, their red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled on the grounds.