Lest We Forget: The significance of Remembrance Day
A brief dive into the history of Nov. 11 and how it is observed in Canada
Canadians observe two minutes of silence of Nov. 11 at 11:00 am. (Pexels/Vlad Vasnetsov)
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month — Nov. 11 — many Canadians nationwide observe two minutes of silence, often at Remembrance Day ceremonies, to honour and remember all those who have served in the military and continue to serve.
Formerly known as Armistice Day in Canada, Remembrance Day marks the end of hostilities during the First World War and honours the country’s fallen soldiers, according to the Canadian War Museum.
Starting on the last Friday in October until Nov. 11, people honour those who lost their lives by wearing poppy pins on the left side of their chest, over the heart.
“Wearing a Poppy is a personal expression of Remembrance, and how someone chooses to wear a Poppy is always an individual choice,” reads the Royal Canadian Legion’s website.
Today, youth cadets from local Royal Canadian Legion branches offer poppies to Canadians and accept donations outside grocery stores, businesses, and shopping malls that support veterans and their families.
The poppy is also the official symbol of the Royal Canadian Legion, first brought to Canada by John McCrae, author of the famous poem “In Flanders Fields.” He was inspired by the abundance of the blood-red flower that grew over mass graves in Flanders, France.
On Nov. 11, 1918, during the 11th hour of the day, battle ceased after the signing of the armistice agreement in Le Francport near Compiègne, France between Germany and the Allies. More than 8.5 million soldiers died worldwide during the war from wounds and/or disease, according to Britannica.
More than 66,000 Canadian soldiers died and more than 172,000 were wounded between 1914-18. This year marks 106 years since the end of the First World War.
May we never forget those who lost their lives and those who still continue to fight.
