Text from https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/blog/
Today is Remembrance Day, which is also known as ‘Poppy Day’, and it is a memorial day to remember the members of our armed forces who have died or been injured in the line of duty. Why is today Remembrance Day? On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is when World War I hostilities ended (though the war wasn’t officially over until the Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28th June 1919).
This year, 2014, marks the centenary of World War I, or ‘The Great War’ as it was originally known. The total number of military and civilian casualties in World War I was over 37 million. There were over 16 million deaths and 20 million wounded ranking it among the deadliest conflicts in human history. The total number of deaths includes about 10 million military personnel and about 7 million civilians. We will be observing the 2 minutes silence at 11am today
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them”
The quote above, verse 4, is taken from ‘For the Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon and is often referred to as ‘The Remembrance Ode’. It was first published in The Times on 21st September 1914. This verse is used worldwide in remembrance services.
Lest we forget.
To know more: http://poppies.hrp.org.uk/
What??? In English! 