Remembrance Day: UK pays respects with two minutes silence

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Remembrance Day is a national day of memorial that allows people to pay respect to and remember British and Commonwealth servicemen and women, who served and lost their lives during conflict. Below is a guide explaining all you need to know about this year’s Remembrance Day.

What is Remembrance Day?

Remembrance Day is a tradition that was started by King George V in 1919.

Initially, it was called Armistice Day to recognise the signing of the armistice, between the Allies and Germany, that brought the end of WW1.

The armistice was signed in Compiegne in Northern France and forced Germany to evacuate the countries it had invaded within a two-week period.

A two-minute silence is held every year at 11am on November 11.

This is to commemorate the signing of the armistice on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, in 1918.

However, after the outbreak of WW2, many countries decided to change the name of this day, with some Commonwealth nations choosing to name it Remembrance Day. In the UK it is now known by both titles.

Remembrance Sunday follows Armistice Day, in the UK, and is always held on the second Sunday in November each year.

When is Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday this year?

Armistice Day this year falls tomorrow on Thursday November 11.

At 11am a two-minute silence will be held to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of Armistice Day.

Remembrance Sunday will take place this Sunday on November 14.

As well as another period of silent reflection, the day will be marked by people wearing poppies, laying wreaths and attending memorial ceremonies.

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Why do we hold a two-minute silence?

One year after WW1 ended King George V asked the public to hold a period of silence at 11am to honour those who had fallen in combat.

He asked this so that the “thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead”.

More than a century on the two-minute silence ensures that their service and sacrifice is not forgotten.

What is the Poppy Appeal?

During the build-up to Remembrance Day you will see veterans all over the country selling poppies.

The reason why poppies are worn is because when WW1 ended they were the flowers that grew on the battlefields where the fighting took place.

The Royal British Legion is the charity which runs the Poppy Appeal each year.

They use the money they raise through donations to support servicemen and women who are still alive and whose lives have been changed by war.

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