Remembrance Day, What it’s all about.

It's become a question stuck to tongues of most mouths shy to come out: What is that red flower most people seen on International Television stick to their lapels? The answer: it's a poppy, a symbol that signifies Remembrance Day.

Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, Veterans Day, Armistice Day – its original name – is a day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians since the First World War and other wars that followed including troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It is observed by the Allies as a way of remembering those who died, especially soldiers with 'no known grave' at 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. The day was specifically dedicated by King George V, on 7 November 1919, to the observance of members of the armed forces who were killed during the war.

In 1919, a one minute's silence was instituted as part of the main commemorative ceremony. The Service of Remembrance in many Commonwealth countries generally includes the sounding of "Last Post," followed by the two minutes of silence, followed by the sounding of "Reveille" (or, more commonly, "The Rouse"), and finished by a recitation of the "Ode of Remembrance." The "Flowers of the Forest", "O Valiant Hearts", "I Vow to Thee, My Country" and "Jerusalem" are often played during the service. Services also include wreaths laid to honour the fallen, a blessing, and national anthems.

Wreath-laying ceremonies are observed at most war memorials.

The Flanders poppy became accepted throughout the allied nations as the flower of remembrance to be worn on Remembrance Day. These red poppies are worn because they are among the first plants that sprouted from the devastation of the battlefields of northern France and Belgium. Soldiers' stories had it that the poppies were vivid red from having been grown in grounds drenched with the blood of their comrades.

Also, wreath-laying ceremonies are observed at most war memorials across the UK at 11 am on the 11th of November, led by the Royal British Legion. This year's was led by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.

So, that's basically what Remembrance Day and the Poppies are all about.

By: Kwabena Offei-Nkrumah /myjoyonline