Home > Facts > Holidays Facts > Remembrance Day Facts

Remembrance Day Facts

Remembrance Day Facts
Remembrance Day is celebrated on November 11th each year to remember those who have served in the military and those who have died in war. It is commemorated On November 11th, at 11:00am, which is the 11th month, 11th day, and the 11th hour - the time and date in 1918 when the guns fell silent in World War 1, putting an end to hostilities. Remembrance Day was first celebrated in 1919 by the British Commonwealth although at the time it was called Armistice Day. Until 1930, Remembrance Day was known as Armistice Day was held on the Monday of the week that also included the date of November 11. In 1931 the name was changed to Remembrance Day and the date fixed to November 11th.
Interesting Remembrance Day Facts:
The poppy is used for Remembrance Day as a symbol of the blood spilled in the war.
The poppies became a symbol for Remembrance Day following the famous poem In Flanders Fields, written by John McCrae during the First World War. The poppies grew over the graves of soldiers in Flanders in World War I.
An American humanitarian named Moina Michael began wearing and giving poppies to people to wear in November 1918 to honor fallen soldiers, after reading John McCrae's poem In Flanders Fields.
The American Legion officially adopted the poppy in 1920.
The Royal British Legion adopted the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance Day in 1921.
The money raised by legions asking for donations for poppies around the world is used for helping injured and retired soldiers.
The Royal Canadian Legion stipulates that the poppy should be worn on the left, close to the heart. It should be worn from the last day of October until November 11th, at 11:00am. The Legion suggests it should then be placed at a cenotaph as opposed to being thrown away.
For many years poppies were made with a black center. In 1980 they were changed to green, and in 2002 the centers were changed back to black.
Remembrance Day is called Veteran's Day, Armistice Day, or Poppy Day in some countries. It is called Remembrance Day in most British Commonwealth countries and in Canada.
Remembrance Day is usually marked with a moment or two of silence at 11:00am, on November 11th.
The Armistice was actually signed at 5:00am on November 11th, 1918, but according to the terms peace was not to be reached until 11:00am that day.
In the United Kingdom Remembrance Day is commemorated on the second Sunday of November.
In 1954 the United States changed the name of Armistice Day (November 11th) to Veterans Day.
The bugle is often played at military funerals and on Remembrance Day, to symbolize that soldiers can rest in peace. In war the bugle was used to tell soldiers it was time to return to their barracks and sleep.
Gun salutes are used in some Remembrance Day ceremonies in different countries around the world including Canada.
Depending on the country, Remembrance Day is celebrated as a national holiday, public holiday, or day of observation.


Related Links:
Facts
Holidays Facts
Animals Facts