The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month attained a special significance in the post-war years after World War 1 . The moment when hostilities ceased on the Western Front in 1918 became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war. On the first anniversary of the Armistice in 1919 two minutes' silence was instituted as part of the main commemorative ceremony at the new Cenotaph in London.
After the end of the Second World War, the Australian and British governments changed the name to Remembrance Day. Australians observe one minute's silence at 11 am on 11 November each year to remember those who died or suffered for Australia's cause in all wars and armed conflicts.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
by John McCrae, May 1915
In the photo below you can see one of two remembrance walls at the Australian War Memorial in our capital city Canberra, where are recorded on bronze panels the names of over 102,000 Australians who have died in conflicts. On these two walls you can find the name of your family member and place a poppy beside their name, as we did when we visited. This is the closest we can come to the burial place of my great uncle who died in WW1 at Gallipoli and my husband's uncle in WW2 in Burma, so I was very grateful to be able to do this.
You can learn more about Remembrance Day and the significance of the poppy here -
Remembrance Day is commemorated in Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, United States, Canada, Belgium, France, and the Cayman Islands. However, We have all be affected in one way or another by war, either directly, or through family members or friends.
A video/musical tribute.
Do you observe Remembrance Day or similar in your country? Who will you be remembering this Remembrance Day?
As wars continue to be raged across the globe, I despair that we have learnt nothing from the past. I despair for those who are caught up in these conflicts, for the loss of familes, loved ones, home, community, life as they knew it. And those that return home afflicted physically and mentally. Why can't the powers sit down and find a way through without killing, bombing and destruction. There must be a better way.
I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
ThroughMy Lens
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity.
and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday
Welcome to Nature Thursday
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity.
and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday
Welcome to Nature Thursday
Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.
Happy Remembrance Day...though wishes are more for peace in the world today. I do spend my meditation time envisioning love that exists in the heart of each warrior, each person suffering wounds, each friend or family member grieving loss or separation. Wars hurt so many . May there be peace.
ReplyDeleteLest we forget
ReplyDeleteThat was a new day to me
ReplyDeleteI suppose all countries have special days that people outside that country haven't heard of. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteHi, Jill. It's a pleasure visiting your site. The poppy images are beautiful. Bittersweet, such beauty in a not pretty time in history.
ReplyDeleteA very dignified poem for this spcial Day, indeed. I heart about this Remembrance Day in the Radio and of course in social medias. It`s important to have such anchors in the daily routine.
ReplyDeleteHappy MosaicMonday
Thank you so much being part at
MosaicMonday
Have a fine week. Greetings by Heidrun
I rarely see poppies - I'm so glad I checked in today.
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the party this week at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2023/11/my-happy-places.html
The remembrance wall is such a special way to honor all those that died while protecting their country. It was so nice to read about how you and your husband get to visit your uncles here.
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful memorials. I think we recognize Remembrance Day here in the states, but we have Memorial Day which we really 'celebrate' (for lack of a better word).
ReplyDeleteThe remembrance wall is beautiful but such a sad thing too. It was nice to read that it provides a way pay respect.
ReplyDelete-Soma