November 11th - Remembrance Day

November 11^th is Remembrance Day in countries like the UK, France, Belgium and those belonging to the Commonwealth, like Canada or Australia. The country honours those who died in wars. Many communities have ceremonies. At 11:00 A.M., everyone is silent for two minutes.

War Cemetery, 1939-1945, World War II, Bayeux, Basse Normandie (Normandy), France

World War I ended on November 11^th, 1918. The armistice -- the agreement ending the war -- was signed that morning. The fighting ended at 11:00 AM that day. It was the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

As these countries fought in more wars, the purpose of Remembrance Day has changed. It is no longer only a reminder of the end of World War I. It has become a day to honour all people who has died in wars.

The poppy is a symbol of Remembrance Day. During World War I, a Canadian army doctor named John McCrae wrote a poem about poppies growing in a cemetery. This poem – “In Flanders Fields” became very famous. Now, poppies remind many people of those who died in wars. Around November 11^th, they wear artificial poppies to honour those dead.