A familiar sight in Britain each November 11 is that of people wearing paper poppy flowers. Venture into any street and you'll be approached by volunteers bearing trays of these poppies and jingling a collection box. The poppy is worn to commemorate Remembrance Day also known as Poppy Day and Armistice Day (the event it commemorates) as the First World War ended on November 11, 1918. It's a day that remembers the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces during the terrible military conflicts of the 20th century. If you are interested in British Remembrance Day then visit the BBC News website for information on Ninety Years of Remembrance.
The choice of the poppy flower as the symbol for Remembrance Day is due to that flower's mention in the poem 'In Flanders Fields' by Canadian army doctor John McCrae. Flanders, the scene of some of the most dreadful fighting in the First World War, was often blanketed in poppies whose red colour was seen as a fitting symbol for the blood shed in the gruesome world of trench warfare.
In the United Kingdom, most of the events are organised by the Royal British Legion. These include ceremonies held at war memorials. And while people observe two minutes silence on Remembrance Day itself, the main event is actually held on the second Sunday in November which is known as Remembrance Sunday.
London's Whitehall is the setting for the main national commemoration. The event is attended by detachments from the various armed forces and by the royal family. The focus of the occasion is the cenotaph where all assemble and wait for Big Ben to strike 11:00 a.m. Then cannon are fired to mark a two minute silence which is followed by a playing of the Last Post and later the laying of wreaths.
Remembrance Day is a day when you show your respect to those who lost their lives, therefore you may wish to dress smart on the day. If you don't own any smart clothes already or you do but are looking to buy a smart suit then look no further. Suitsmen.co.uk is selling a number of stylish mens suits and mens shoes at great prices. You don't have to dress-up on the day but the majority of people who go to pay their respect tend to wear shirt and tie.
The choice of the poppy flower as the symbol for Remembrance Day is due to that flower's mention in the poem 'In Flanders Fields' by Canadian army doctor John McCrae. Flanders, the scene of some of the most dreadful fighting in the First World War, was often blanketed in poppies whose red colour was seen as a fitting symbol for the blood shed in the gruesome world of trench warfare.
In the United Kingdom, most of the events are organised by the Royal British Legion. These include ceremonies held at war memorials. And while people observe two minutes silence on Remembrance Day itself, the main event is actually held on the second Sunday in November which is known as Remembrance Sunday.
London's Whitehall is the setting for the main national commemoration. The event is attended by detachments from the various armed forces and by the royal family. The focus of the occasion is the cenotaph where all assemble and wait for Big Ben to strike 11:00 a.m. Then cannon are fired to mark a two minute silence which is followed by a playing of the Last Post and later the laying of wreaths.
Remembrance Day is a day when you show your respect to those who lost their lives, therefore you may wish to dress smart on the day. If you don't own any smart clothes already or you do but are looking to buy a smart suit then look no further. Suitsmen.co.uk is selling a number of stylish mens suits and mens shoes at great prices. You don't have to dress-up on the day but the majority of people who go to pay their respect tend to wear shirt and tie.