Remembrance Day. Poppy Day

Remembrance Day. Poppy Day. Remembrance Day is observed throughout Britain in commemoration of the million or more British soldiers and airmen who lost their lives during the two World Wars. On that day, the second Sunday in November, special services are held in the churches and wreaths are laid at war memorials throughout the country and at London s Cenotaph, where a great number of people gather to observe the two minute silence and to perform the annual Remembrance Day ceremony.

The silence begins at the first stroke of Big Ben 11 o clock, and is broken only by the crash of distant artillery and perhaps by the murmur of a passing jet. Members of the Royal Family or their representatives and political leaders come forward to lay wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph.

Then comes the march past the memorial of ex-servicemen and women, followed by an endless line of ordinary citizens who have come here with their personal wreaths and their sad memories. On that day artificial poppies, a symbol of mourning, are traditionally sold in the streets everywhere, and people wear them in their buttonholes. The money collected in this way is later used to help the men who had been crippled during the war and their dependants. In the past the day was known as Armistice Day and was marked on the 11 of November, as that was the day when armistice agreement to stop military actions sought by German from Allies, came into force in 1918. Armistice Day was kept since 1919 1938. Two minutes silence was observed throughout the British Commonwealth starting at 11 a. m. the ceremony lapsed during the second World War, but was resumed in 1945. The following year it was decided to observe a Remembrance Day for both World Wars. It was to be held annually on Remembrance Sunday the second Sunday in November.

The most magnificent ceremony is held at the Cenotaph in London, a memorial to those who died during the two world wars. On Remembrance Day the ceremony is attended by the Queen and royal family, statesmen and politicians, representatives of the armed forces and Commonwealth.

Literature 1. N. M. Nesterova Regional Geography orarea studies 2. T. Khimunina, N. Konon, L. Walshe Customs, Traditions and Festivals of Great Britain.