11th November is a memorial day for all the Commonwealth countries to remember all the people of their arm forces who have died in the line of duty. It is celebrated since the end of the First World War.
If you watch TV programmes from any of these countries, especially the UK, in the first days of November you may see people wearing a red poppy in their dresses or lapels:
This is to celebrate the day, to remember the dead soldiers and to raise money for the families.
Why this date?
On 11th November 1918 the nations at war signed a treaty that established "the end of hostilities at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month"
Why the poppy?
Poppy is the only plant that grew in battle fields of Northern France and Flanders during WWI
Poppies grow naturally in disturbed earth in Europe
Canadian doctor John Mc Crae wrote the poem In Flanders fields the poppies blow in memory of fallen comrades
Poppy became US national emblem of remembrance in 1920 and in 1921 in the UK
Know more:
Have you seen the film 1917? What is the plot of the film?
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