Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day, observed on 11th November, is a memorial day dedicated to honouring members of the armed forces who lost their lives in the line of duty. It originated as a commemoration of the end of World War I, which concluded on 11th November 1918, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
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This post will explain what Remembrance Day is including the significance of the poppy. It will look at the day around the world and share a couple of macrame projects for you to try.
War as Experienced by Animals
The YouTube video below from the BBC helps to give some gentle context to what war means.
Remembrance Day or Armistice Day?
This day was initially called Armistice Day, reflecting the armistice (a formal agreement of warring parties to stop fighting) signed between the Allies and Germany. In the years following World War II, it became more widely known as Remembrance Day.
Remembrance Day Video Resources
The two videos below give a brief overview of Remembrance Day. The CBeebies one is targetted towards a younger audience whilst the Newsround one is for an older audience.
You can find a wealth of resources to download to support learning about Remembrance Day with children from Royal British Legion here.
Key Remembrance Day Vocabulary
Veterans Day
In the United States, a similar day is observed but is called Veterans Day, which also takes place on 11th November. However, Veterans Day honours all military veterans, including those who are still living, rather than exclusively commemorating those who died in combat.
Poppy Significance, Use and Symbolism
The poppy is a significant symbol associated with Remembrance Day in the UK and other places around the world.
Poetry Inspired: In Flanders Fields
It was inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields, written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. He was a Canadian doctor who served in World War I. The poem speaks about red poppies growing in the battlefields of Flanders, where many soldiers had perished. Due to this, the red poppy became a symbol of remembrance and respect for those who sacrificed their lives.
Poppies are worn in the lead-up to and on Remembrance Day as a tribute to fallen soldiers and to support veterans’ organisations, which often sell them to raise funds for those affected by conflict.
The Poppy Around the World
Poppies are worn in several other countries beyond the UK as a tribute to fallen soldiers. The tradition has spread to Commonwealth nations and some others due to the shared impact of World War I and II and a common commitment to remembering those who served in conflicts.
Here are some countries where poppies are worn for remembrance:
- Canada – Like the UK, Canada observes Remembrance Day on 11th November, and poppies are widely worn in the days leading up to it. This tradition is strongly tied to the poem In Flanders Fields by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae.
- Australia – In Australia, poppies are worn primarily on ANZAC Day (25th April) to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who served in Gallipoli and other conflicts. They are also occasionally worn on Remembrance Day in November.
- New Zealand – New Zealanders mainly wear poppies on ANZAC Day, with some choosing to wear them on Remembrance Day as well.
- South Africa – South Africa also observes a form of Remembrance Day on 11th November, where poppies are worn to honour soldiers who served in the two World Wars.
- France and Belgium – While not a widespread tradition for the general public, some French and Belgian citizens, particularly in regions like Flanders, wear poppies on 11th November. This is especially meaningful as many of the World War I battlefields were located in these countries.
However, in the United States, poppies are more commonly associated with Memorial Day (in May), rather than Veterans Day in November. Memorial Day honours those who have died in military service. While poppies are sometimes worn, it is not as common a tradition as it is in the UK or Commonwealth nations.
What the Poppy Represents
The red poppy worn for Remembrance Day carries deep symbolism, with each part representing different aspects of remembrance and sacrifice:
- Red Petals: The bright red colour of the poppy is symbolic of the blood shed by soldiers in battle. It serves as a vivid reminder of the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives in conflicts.
- Black Centre: The dark centre of the poppy represents the mourning for those who have died. It signifies the grief felt by families and communities for their loss and the void left by fallen soldiers.
- Green Stem: While less often highlighted, the green stem can be seen as a symbol of hope and the potential for renewal. It signifies the idea that even after loss and destruction, life continues, and peace can be achieved.
Overall, the poppy’s design and colours evoke powerful emotions associated with remembrance. Honouring both the courage of those who served and the grief of those who mourn them. The poppy has become an enduring symbol of commemoration, especially in Commonwealth countries, and is widely used in remembrance ceremonies and events.
Poppy Macrame Craft Projects
Below you will find two different macrame poppy flower crafts that would make a lovely project to do for Remembrance Day. Both projects use the same knots. One is a three poppy key chain and the other a poppy pin badge. You can find what macrame resources I use here.
Poppy Keychain Project
Poppy Pin Badge Project
Poppy Pattern
Although this pattern is for the pin badge you can use the steps to help you make both projects. These instructions go through the stem square knot and how to make the poppy flowers.