Poppy Day

Publié le 12 novembre 2016 par Alice

Remembrance Day (12th-13th November)

As its name suggests, Remembrance Day is a memorial day devoted to all the soldiers who fought for their nation during the First World War.

It was first created by King George V in 1919, and then inaugurated in other countries mostly Anglo-Saxon (Canada, US, Scotland, Wales...).

This year, part of the celebration will take place in the Royal Albert Hall, London.

In this ceremony, the British Armed Forces commemorate soldiers who fought and died in WW1 and later, WW2. For example, The Battle of the Somme (July-November 1916), one of the most famous battles known because of the 19,000 men killed in one day. VE Day is the day of festivities commemorating the end of WW2. On this day, the Royal British Legion makes two performances, the first at 2pm and a second at 7pm. They include specials guests like artists, military bands, a drum-head service. The Royal family attends too. The whole show is broadcast on BBC TV and radio. Tickets are available from 6 September if you want to attend.

The festival is followed by Remembrance Sunday which always falls on the second Sunday in November. This time, the National Service of Remembrance organises the ceremony. The association makes sure that no-one is forgotten in the National Honor. A moving march past made up exclusively of veterans is organised. Then, everybody pays tribute by respecting two minutes of silence in front of the memorial, and Queen Elizabeth usually makes a speech. You can attend it too. It takes place at the 2016 Cenotaph, and the parades, in Whitehall Street in London. If you wish to be a spectator, please read this:

2010 to 2015 government policy: national events and ceremonies

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/2010-to-2015-government-policy-national-events-and-ceremonies/2010-to-2015-government-policy-national-events-and-ceremonies

The Cenotaph Memorial is a memorial sculpted by Edwin Lutyens in 1919. It is located in the center of Whitehall Street. The dates of the First and the Second World War are written. Plus Lloyd George (Prime Minister for George V) words: “The Glorious Dead”.

Since 2014, the Royal British Legion, in partnership with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, have developed the “Every Man Remembered Project”. It is a website where you can individually commemorate a soldier who was killed during the WW1.Over 1.1 million men and women died during this war.

Every Man Remembered - Home

http://www.everymanremembered.org/

In the United-States, a traditional national memorial day concert has been broadcast for more than 25 years. Lots of artists and famous national celebrities are invited.

National Memorial Day Concert Blog | PBS

http://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/blogs/memorial-day/

Poppy Day

This is the other name giving by the British to Remembrance Day. The poppy is the emblem of this day, it is a red flower. People who want to commemorate soldiers wear this flower on their chest. They chose a poppy as a symbol thanks to a poem written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae. In the spring of 1915, the Canadian Doctor had lost a friend in Ypres. The poppies growing in battle-fields inspired him to write a poem called “In Flanders Fields”, to honor to his lost friend. The poem inspired an American, Moina Michael, who made and sold red silk poppies. Anna Guérin, a French woman, brought them to England and sold 9 million to the British Army in 1921. The poppies raised over £106,000. The money was used to help WW1 veterans. Now, a factory in Aylesford produces all British poppies. Scotland took this symbol too but changed the design a bit. The official shop is online, a lot of goodies inspired by the poppy are available.