What is Remembrance Day?

November is upon us again. After the frivolity of Halloween and Bonfire Night, now is the time our thoughts turn to honouring the memory of those who laid down their lives for their country.

Remembrance Day feels as significant as ever this year as we've witnessed troubling scenes in Afghanistan and felt the loss of our very own Captain Sir Tom Moore. Whilst unable to hold a traditional ceremony to mark Remembrance Day in 2020, the event will take place this year as planned.

Since the battlefields of ‘The Great War’ fell silent in 1919, Britain along with many other countries in Europe and across the world, has paused for two minutes silence on the 11th hour, in the 11th month; November. This day was known as Armistice Day until 1956 when the British Government, in honour of participants in both World Wars, officially replaced Armistice Day with the new Sunday Memorial day, fixed as the second Sunday of the month, known as Remembrance Sunday.

Typically since then, countries observe the silence on the day, and again on Remembrance Sunday. The Sunday is often honoured with a Parade of Remembrance, usually culminating in a wreath laying Ceremony of Remembrance at the local Cenotaph or Memorial.

This year, Remembrance Sunday is on 14th November. Unlike last year when there was no ceremony due to covid restrictions, a full ceremony will take place at the Cenotaph in London, as well as local ceremonies across the country. You can find information on the timings of the national event in London, attendance guidelines and covid advice on gov.uk.

Further information on Remembrance Day and The Poppy Appeal may be found at britishlegion.org.uk.

Lest we forget.

Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to check out our previous blogs here.