Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, is observed across Commonwealth countries to honour the brave members of the armed forces who sacrificed their lives in service. Celebrated annually since the end of the First World War, Remembrance Day uses the red poppy as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and tribute to fallen soldiers.
The poppy’s use as a wartime symbol dates back to the early 19th century during the Napoleonic campaigns when bright red poppies bloomed across fields following battles. This symbolic flower gained renewed meaning after the First World War, inspiring Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae to write the now-famous poem “In Flanders Fields.” Moved by the poem, American teacher Moina Michael pledged to wear a poppy as a symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers. The movement quickly spread internationally when Madame Guerin of France began distributing handmade poppies to raise funds for war orphans. By 1921, the Great War Veterans’ Association (now the Royal Canadian Legion) officially adopted the poppy as the Flower of Remembrance.
Each year, people wear the red poppy from the last Friday in October until Remembrance Day on November 11. The poppy reminds us of the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of those who served in the armed forces, allowing generations to pay tribute to their memory.