Remembrance Day (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom), also known as Poppy Day (Malta and South Africa) and Armistice Day (France, New Zealand, and many other Commonwealth countries; and the original name of the day internationally) is a day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and civilians in times of war, specifically since the First World War.
It is observed on 11 November to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918. The observance is specifically dedicated to members of the armed forces who were killed during war, and was created by King George V on 7 November 1919 (possibly upon the suggestion of Edward George Honey to Wellesley Tudor Pole, who established two ceremonial periods of remembrance based on events in 1917
Observance in the Commonwealth
Memorials outside London's Westminster Abbey for Remembrance Day, 2002Common British, Canadian, South African, and ANZAC traditions include two minutes of silence at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month because that was the time (in Britain) when the armistice became effective.
The Service of Remembrance in many Commonwealth of Nations countries generally includes the playing of the Last Post, followed by two minutes of silence, followed by the playing of Reveille (or, more commonly, The Rouse) and a recitation of the Ode of Remembrance. The Scottish Bagpiper's Lament is often played during the Service. Services also include wreaths laid to honour the fallen, a blessing, and National Anthems.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, although two minutes' silence is observed on 11 November itself, the main observance is on the second Sunday of November, Remembrance Sunday. Ceremonies are held at local War Memorials, usually organised by local branches of the Royal British Legion – an association for ex-servicemen. Typically, poppy wreaths are laid by representatives of the Crown, the armed forces, and local civic leaders, as well as by local organisations including the Royal British Legion, ex-servicemen organisations, cadet forces, the Scouts, Guides, Boys' Brigade, St John Ambulance and the Salvation Army. "The Last Post" is played by a trumpeter or bugler, and two minutes' silence is observed and then broken by a trumpeter playing "Reveille". The start and end of the silence is often also marked by the firing of a cannon. A minute's or two minutes' silence is also frequently incorporated into church services, and even everyday locations such as supermarkets and banks may invite their customers and staff to fall silent at 11am.
The main commemoration is held in Whitehall in Central London, where a short service is held in the presence of the Queen, who lays a wreath of poppies at the foot of the Cenotaph. She is followed by senior members of the Royal Family who attend in military uniform, the Prime Minister and the leaders of the major political parties from all parts of the United Kingdom, as well as by the Chief of the Defence Staff, First Sea Lord, Chief of the General Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff. The service is usually conducted by the Bishop of London, with a choir from the Chapels Royal, in the presence of representatives of all major faiths in the United Kingdom.
Wreaths are laid during the service by the Commonwealth High Commissioners to London, on behalf of their respective nations, and by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on behalf of the British overseas territories. Wreaths are also laid by representatives of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets, the Merchant Air Service and the Civilian Services (the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service, etc.). Junior members of the Royal Family usually watch the service from the balcony of Admiralty House.
The start and end of the silence are marked by the firing of a gun by the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery at Horse Guards Parade. The Buglers of the Royal Marines play the Last Post, and military bands are provided by all three services. Ceremonial detachments from the armed forces and civilian uniformed services such as the Merchant Navy, HM Coastguard, etc. are also in attendance. After the service, the Rouse is played by the Trumpeters of the Royal Air Force.
After the service, there is a parade of veterans, who also lay wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph as they pass, and a salute is taken by a member of the Royal Family at Horse Guards