Today is Remembrance Day. People across the country observe a two-minute silence and contemplate the sacrifice made by those who gave their lives during WWI, and the countless conflicts since then.
It is a day observed by almost all members of the Commonwealth of Nations. We at Careline take a look at the different ways in which this important day is commemorated in some of the other Commonwealth nations across the world.
Remembrance Day – India
Although the event is not observed across the entire country, there are specific services at key locations around India. The army hold their own ceremonies at various garrisons, and there are a number of services at Christian churches.
Another nation ceremony is held at Delhi War Cemetery.
Remembrance Day – New Zealand
The people of New Zealand actually do not count the 11th November as their national date of remembrance, and the reason why is a strange one. In 1921, the shipment of paper poppies used to mark Poppies for Armistice that year happened to arrive late.
When November 11th came around, the poppies weren’t there, so they were instead distributed on 25th April, Anzac Day, the next day of commemoration. The date stuck, and since then 25th April has been New Zealand’s Remembrance Day.
Remembrance Day – Canada
For the majority of Canadian provinces, Remembrance Day is a national holiday, and has been observed on 11th November since 1931.
An official ceremony is held in Ottawa at the National War Memorial, one which includes a 21-gun salute and a flyby by the Canadian Air Force, culminating in a choir rendition of In Flanders Fields.
Remembrance Day – Bermuda
Bermuda was the first country to send a colonial volunteer unit to the Western Front. Remembrance Day is marked by a large parade in Hamilton, one which combines all facets of the armed forces.
Of the 52 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, 51 of them recognise and mark Remembrance Day, demonstrating just how significant this day of historical reflection is globally.
