Remembrance Sunday
Remembrance Sunday is an observance day which is observed on the second Sunday in November in the United Kingdom. It is a day to remember and honor the achievements and sacrifices made by both military and civilian servicemen during past wars. It is a day marked with somber remembrance and with many services all over the U.K.
United Kingdom (Observance)History of Remembrance Sunday
From the end of WWI to the end of WWII, Armistice Day was originally the day that was used to observe the achievements and the sacrifices of those who served in past wars and this day was always observed on November 11. However, in 1995, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the end of World War 2, ceremonies were held on both Armistice Day and on Remembrance Sunday.
Remembrance Sunday Customs & Celebrations
On this day, people stop whatever they are doing and observe a moment of silence at 11 am November 11, 1918 at 11 am was when hostilities formally ended during the First World War. People also wear poppies, or poppy-like pins, to show respect to fallen soldiers and to pay a tribute to their sacrifices and achievements.
All during this day, there are memorial services, parades, speeches given and church services held. In central London, a national commemoration takes place every year at Whitehall. Many people visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. That’s because it has over two hundred different memorial – which includes the Armed Forces Memorial.
This Arboretum is a very impressive reminder of the sacrifices of those who serve their country and receives over a quarter of a million visitors a year. On Remembrance Sunday, extra services are held there. Other people decide to visit one of the other 100,000 war memorials that can be found in the United Kingdom. On Remembrance Sunday, wreaths are placed on many of the soldier’s graves.
United Kingdom (Observance)
