Remembrance Day 2022: Armistice silence, the Poppy Appeal, and Remembrance Sunday events explained
Remembrance Day #RemembranceDay
Remembrance Day events take place each year, when people across the UK honour those who have lost their lives at war.
The nation falls silent every Remembrance Sunday at 11am in tribute, and millions of red poppies are sold each year in the build-up to the day.
But when is Remembrance Day 2022, what is the history of the day, and what events are taking place? Here is everything that you need to know.
When is Remembrance Day 2022 and what is its significance?
Remembrance Day will take place on Friday, November 11. The event commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the armistice in 1918, between the Allies and Germany, marking the end of the First World War. The tradition dates back to 1919 and was first started by King George V.
It is a national day of memorial to remember and honour servicemen and women who lost their lives in the First World War.
The armistice to end the First World War was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, which is why the UK holds two minutes of silence at 11am every November 11.
It was signed in Compiegne, in Northern France, and forced Germans to evacuate invaded countries within a two-week period.
The first Armistice Day was observed on November 11, 1919, to mark the first anniversary of the end of the First World War, and Remembrance Sunday is commemorated on the nearest Sunday.
After the outbreak of the Second World War, many countries changed the name of Armistice Day, with some members of the Commonwealth choosing to call it Remembrance Day. In the UK, it is now known as both.
A National Service of Remembrance, which is attended by members of the Royal Family, the Government, and representatives from the armed forces, is held at 11 am, at The Cenotaph, in Whitehall.
The Royal Marine Buglers signal the start of the silence by playing The Last Post and The Rouse, and it is ended by a gun salute by the Royal Horse Artillery.
Why do people wear poppies on Remembrance Day?
Poppies are the flowers which grew on the battlefields after the First World War, so they are sold and worn to help raise money for servicemen and women whose lives have been affected by war.
The origins of the poppy for remembrance date back to war poem, In Flanders Fields, which was written by Canadian Officer John McCrae in 1915. It reads: “In Flanders fields, the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row”.
The red poppy is seen as a symbol for remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.
You will notice many members of the public wearing red and white poppies in the lead-up to Remembrance Day, with white symbolising peace.
The poppy appeal is run by the Royal British Legion each year.
What Remembrance Day events are happening in 2022?
This year’s Remembrance Day Parade at the Cenotaph will take place on Sunday, November 13.
The parade will be led by Major General Jonathan Shaw CBE.
You can find out about Remembrance Day events in your area on the British Legion website.
Starting at 11am, the service will commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women involved in the two world wars and later conflicts.
How to wear poppies
Respectfully, the poppy should be positioned next to the heart on the left breast. It shouldn’t be defaced with other pins.
Although there is only one poppy to be worn for remembrance in reality there are four remembrance poppies which can be utilised such as red, white, purple and black.
The centre of the lapel poppy, which was originally black was changed to green in 1980 but in 2002, the centre was changed back to black to reflect the colours of the Poppies in Flanders, a red flower with a black centre.
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