Remembrance Day Protocols

Many people leave flowers as a sign of respect for those who died in the war.

Remembrance Day is a holiday that is an observance of fallen soldiers and in honor of the end of war. It commemorates the end of World War 1, which ended on November 11, 1918, and thus has been celebrated on that day since 1919. It is also called Armistice Day for the armistice that the Germans signed to officially end the war, Veterans Day in America, and Poppy Day in other countries. While most places observe their own version of Remembrance Day, the holiday is most closely associated with Canada and the United Kingdom, where it is considered a public holiday.

National Observance in the United Kingdom

There is a national observance held on Remembrance Day in both the United Kingdom and Canada. In the United Kingdom, national observance is held at Whitehall around the Cenotaph where the Queen and many of the highest political figures pay their respects by laying wreaths at the base of the Cenotaph. At 11 a.m., a two-minute silence is observed beginning and ending with an artillery salute.

National Observance in Canada

National observance in Canada is held in Ottawa at the National War Memorial. The prime minister, members of the royal family and many other high-ranking political figures often attend. The "remembrance" begins with a bugle call, titled "Last Post," at 11 a.m. A gun salute following that marks the beginning of two minutes of silence and concludes the silence with another salute.

Public Observance Protocall

Public ceremonies are also held on November 11 at 11 a.m. for two minutes of silence. In the United Kingdom, it is observed at local memorials and legions, and are marked in most towns by the firing of a cannon at the start and end of two minutes. You may also simply observe in your home or wherever you are at that time. In Britain, it is also traditional to observe Remembrance Sunday, which takes place the second Sunday of November and features a similar one- to two-minute silence.

In Canada, various public assemblies aimed at informing about the wars of years past, as well as honoring them, are also formed to observe the holiday.

Poppies

Poppies are a symbol of Remembrance Day and are often seen before and during the holiday. Artificial red poppies are made into wreaths and laid at memorials during remembrance ceremonies and worn on clothing in observance. They are made of plastic or paper, and often distributed by veterans or groups in support of veterans.

References

• Returned and Services' Association: Remembrance
• Poppy Time
• The Royal Canadian Legion: National Remembrance Day