Armistice Day

Official day to commemorate the end of the First World War in Great Britain as well as in France, Belgium and the USA, also known as Remembrance Day or Poppy Day. The armistice between the allied nations (Triple Entente: Great Britain, Russia, France) and Germany was signed on 11 November 1918 at 11 a.m. in Compiègne, France. Nowadays there is a moment of silence on this day to remember all people who died in wars since the First World War including World War II, the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and all conflicts in which the British army was involved.

History

At the first anniversary of the armistice the two minutes silence was proposed by the Australian, Edward Honey and by a South African statesman. King George V personally asked all people of the British Empire to observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. The silence often takes place at war memorials, cenotaphs or religious services. The Royal Family as well as politicians attend a service at The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.

The Poppy Appeal

In the weeks before Armistice Day people wearing a poppy can be seen all around Britain. These poppies are sold by the Royal British Legion which is in charge of caring for veterans and raising money for soldiers who are still alive. The Poppy Appeal exists since 1921 and was inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields" (1915) by John McCrae. The poppies are supposed to remind the people of the bloody fights in the region of Flanders, North France. Poppies were the only flowers that grew despite complete devastation.

John McCrae, "In Flanders Fields" (1915)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Literature:

The Australian Army. "Remembrance Day Tradition". Available on: http://www.army.gov.au/traditions/documents/RemembranceDayTradition.htm (01/12/11).

The Royal British Legion. "History of the Poppy Appeal". Available on: http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/about-us/history-of-the-poppy-appeal (01/12/11).

This years' celebrations:

BBC News. "Millions Mark Armistice Day at Events Across the UK". Available on: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15676087 (01/12/11).