Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day History

Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day, honours armed services personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. It is a day that promotes reflection and gratitude for the sacrifices made by military personnel to protect the values of freedom and democracy. Key aspects of this observance include paying tribute with minutes of silence, wearing red poppies, and attending special ceremonies and events.

The origins of Remembrance Day date back to the end of World War I, with the signing of the armistice agreement on November 11, 1918, that marked a ceasefire between Allied forces and Germany. In the European Union, the commemoration of this day holds significant importance due to the history of armed conflicts in the region and the role that European nations played in the two World Wars. Many EU countries, particularly in Western Europe, were greatly affected by these conflicts, with millions of servicemen and civilians losing their lives or becoming injured.

Remembrance Day in the European Union is observed through various formal and informal ceremonies and events on the national and local levels. These may include laying wreaths at war memorials, attending church services, or observing periods of silence to show respect for fallen soldiers. Some European countries, such as the United Kingdom, attend a central Remembrance Sunday ceremony held on the closest Sunday to November 11. In France and Belgium, it is a national public holiday, while other countries have their own forms of commemoration on different dates that mark significant moments in their history.

Top facts about Remembrance Day

• The Poppy is a common symbol of remembrance for those who died in the pursuit of freedom. People wear this poppy as a pin on their left breasts in the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day.
• In many commonwealth areas a night vigil is held in remembrance of the fallen. Members of the armed forces keep watch over a ritualistic tomb site.
• By the end of World War I, approximately 61,000 Canadians were killed and another 172,000 were injured. This was a significant loss for a country with a population of nearly 8 million.
• The Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community in 1957, was one of the first steps in the evolution of the EU.
• The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles have been cited as one of the factors that contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany, ultimately leading to World War II.

In the News and Trending in the EU for Remembrance Day

Top things to do for Remembrance Day in the EU

• Place a wreath at the grave of a deceased member of the military.
• Wear a red poppy as a symbol of remembrance.
• Watch Canada’s Hundred Days (2018). This documentary presents the final 100 days of the First World War from a Canadian perspective.
• Visit the World War I battlefields, memorials, and museums in the Verdun area. The Douaumont Ossuary, a memorial containing the remains of soldiers who died during the Battle of Verdun, is a significant site for reflection on Remembrance Day.
• Attend the annual remembrance service at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin and visit the Irish National War Memorial Gardens.