Remembrance Day

Today is the 11/11/2013 it marks 95 years since the end of World War 1. This anniversary is marked by a two minutes silence at 11:00 am. This was the time that guns fell silent in 1918 and then Armistice was declared.

Many ceremonies took place on the Sunday at war memorials across the country, however today many churches, schools and town halls will hold ceremonies. On Armistice Day, the country will again be asked to pause in memory of those who have served and died for Britain. Armistice day is also called Poppy day, this came about due to the Poppy seeds which had lain dormant for many years in the battlefields in northern France and they bloomed with energy after the earth was disturbed, becoming a symbol of new life and loss. John McCrae wrote a poem which inspired many to wear artificial poppies as a sign of remembrance, below is the poem. In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die we shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields. John McCrae