subject: The origins of the Remembrance poppy [print this page] The origins of the Remembrance poppy The origins of the Remembrance poppy
Every year at the start of November people in the UK and some other commonwealth countries start to wear a red poppy in the run up to Armistice Day on 11th November. Known as Remembrance Day in the UK, it is the day we remember the men and women who have fallen in battle in the defence of their country. The Armistice was the agreement that ended World War I and it was signed on 11th November 1918 at 11am.
At 11 o'clock on the eleventh day of the 11th month, Britain pauses for 2 minutes to observe a silence. Remembrance Sunday is observed on the 2nd Sunday in November with parades, services and the laying of wreaths at war memorials in cities, towns and villages all across the UK. The symbol of Remembrance is the poppy and it has been adopted by the Royal British Legion who do so much good work to help former military personal.
The year after the end of World War I, King George V dedicated a day to observe the men and women who had fallen during the four year conflict and the first two minute silence was held in London on 11th November 1919 at 11am. The following day, the Manchester Guardian reported that the two minute silence was impeccably observed.
The poppy was chosen as the symbol of Remembrance for two reason; its red colour reflected the bloodshed and the in the war torn fields of Flanders, the poppy was one of the very few living things to bloom. The poppy is mentioned in the poem "In Flanders Fields" which was written by the Canadian physician John McCrae in 1915.
The style of the poppy worn as a symbol of Remembrance varies slightly from country to country. In the UK, the design of the poppy is a flat, stiff paper leaf mounted on a plastic stem. Some also have a single green leaf and it is held in position with in a single pin.
Wreaths laid at memorials on Armistice Day and throughout the year are usually made of artificial poppies and today countries around the world have adopted the poppy as the universal symbol of Remembrance.
