Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. The day is also marked by war remembrances in several other non-Commonwealth countries
Remembrance Day in Canada is on November 11, World War I hostilities and honoring all who have served and sacrificed in Canada’s military. At 11 a.m., Canadians observe two minutes of silence to remember the soldiers and civilians who have fought and died in wartime, conflict, and peace. The day is marked by ceremonies across the country and is also symbolized by the red poppy, inspired by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields”.
Honors all who have served and continue to serve Canada in times of war, conflict, and peace.
The red poppy, which became a symbol of remembrance after John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” described the flowers growing on the battlefields.
The day serves to remember the more than 2.3 million Canadians who have served and the over 118,000 who have died in service.
This year this day was held jointly with the Ukrainian community on November 8 in the park near the school on La Rose.Participants of the event, the patriarchs of all Ukrainian churches, the Ukrainian ambassador to Toronto, representatives of Ukrainian organizations, soldiers, the mayor of Toronto, and members of the public held a joint memorial service for the soldiers who died during the war.
It was a joint event organized by the Canadian and Ukrainian communities.
This event brought together representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora, and it was touching to see our oldest representatives, our glorious warriors, and our famous people, representatives of the diaspora, at this event.
I was especially moved to tears when the soloist of the Royal Ensemble ser MCpl Oliver sang the famous Ukrainian partisan song from the Second World War ,,Пливе кача”.This underscored the Canadians’ support for our diaspora and solidarity in Ukraine’s war against Russia. During the resistance, partisans sang this song when burying their fallen. It has remained a symbol of remembrance for the Ukrainians who perished in the war and has become a song that brings tears to our eyes.
I’ll digress and tell you a little about this day and the events associated with it.
Many people wear artificial poppies on their clothes in the weeks before Remembrance Day. Red poppies symbolize the memory of those who died and white poppies campaigns for non-military interventions in conflict situations. On November 11, special church services are organized. These often include the playing of “The Last Post”, a reading of the fourth verse of the ‘Ode of Remembrance’ and two minutes silence at 11:00 (or 11am). After the service, wreaths are laid at local war memorials.
The official Canadian national ceremonies are held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Ontario, according to a strict protocol. A service is held and wreaths are laid by armed services representatives. In May 2000 the remains of a Canadian soldier who died in France in World War I, but was never been identified, were laid in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial.
Since then, members of the public have laid poppies, letters and photographs on the tomb. Similar services and events are held throughout Canada. Some schools that are open on Remembrance Day hold special assemblies, lessons and presentations on armed conflicts and those who died in them.
Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the official end of the World War I hostilities on November 11, 1918. World War I was a massive conflict was played out over the whole globe, but particularly in Europe, where troops from Canada supported the Allied forces.
World War I resulted in the loss of huge numbers of lives amongst both civilians and military personnel. Many more people were badly injured. The war left great emotional scars in the servicemen, who had experienced it, and in the communities, whose sons, brothers, fathers, uncles and even grandfathers had died. Remembrance Day commemorates those who died in armed conflicts, particularly in and since World War I.
In Canada, November 11 is officially called Remembrance Day, but it is also known as Armistice Day and Poppy Day. Remembrance Day is commemorated in many countries, particularly members of the Commonwealth, including Australia and New Zealand (where it is also referred to as Armistice Day). In the United States, Veterans Day falls on the same date. In the United Kingdom, the Sunday closest to November 11 is known as Remembrance Sunday.
Five Remembrance Day Facts
- Remembrance Sunday always falls on the second Sunday of November. …
- 11th November symbolises The Armistice. …
- Poppies are associated with Remembrance Day. …
- Over 1.2 million British soldiers have lost their lives since the start of WW1. …
- Remembrance Day isn’t just to remember the fallen of WW1.
On Remembrance Day, you can say or do things like observing the two minutes of silence, reciting”Lest We Forget” or the ” Act of Remembrance ” ,and thanking veterans for their service. It’s important to avoid saying “Happy Remembrance Day” because it is a solemn occasion, not a holiday.