Last modified on November 12, 2007, at 18:06

Rememberance Day

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In The Commonwealth, Rememberance Day is the annual commemoration of those who died during war, especially World War I and World War II (although those who died in more recent conflicts, such as Afghanistan and Iraq are also honored). Rememberance Day is observed on 11th November with 2 minutes silence being held at 11:00 am. The date is the anniversary of Armistice Day, which marked the cessation of hostilities in 1918 with the signing of the Germany's surrender to end The Great War, which was the former name of World War I prior to the second global conflict.

The main commemmoration occurs at the Cenotaph in London, England, and is marked by the laying of wreaths of [[poppy|poppies by the military, political leaders and members of the Royal Family. Both current and former members of the armed forces, as well as representatives of civil organisations march past the monument to pay their repect. In the two weeks before Rememberance Day, members of the public wear an artificial poppy as a symbol of their respect and gratitude to those who gave their lives for today's freedom.

The poppy was selected as a symbol of rememberance after The Great War as the former battlefields of Flanders sprouted became a sea of red owing to the disruption of the topsoil during the fighting. The red flowers were held to be symbolic of the blood spilled by the millions of dead.

In the United States, the day is known as Veteran's Day.