🏛️ Chapter 3: Canada's History
3.5.3 Remembrance Day
2 paragraphs · 2 questions
November 11 is Remembrance Day. On that date each year Canadians think of the veterans and the brave fallen from every war in which Canada has taken part, right up to today. A red poppy is worn. The moment of silence comes at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day, in the eleventh month. It honours more than a million men and women who served, and the 110,000 among them who lost their lives.
Key Facts
- Remembrance Day falls on 11 November each year
- Canadians wear a red poppy and keep a moment of silence
- Silence at the eleventh hour, eleventh day, eleventh month
- Honours over a million who served and 110,000 who died
The poem most closely tied to this day is "In Flanders Fields." It was written in 1915 by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian medical officer. The poem pictures poppies growing between rows of crosses that mark soldiers' graves, larks still singing above the noise of the guns, and the dead handing a torch to the living and asking them to keep faith. It is often recited on Remembrance Day.
Key Facts
- "In Flanders Fields" was written in 1915
- Its author was Canadian medical officer Lt.-Col. John McCrae
- Its images: poppies, rows of crosses, larks, a torch passed on
- The poem is often recited on Remembrance Day
Test yourself on this topic
2 practice questions from “Remembrance Day”, each with the answer explained.
- How do Canadians mark Remembrance Day each 11 November?
- Who wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields", and in what year?
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