The Importance of Remembrance Day
Each year on November 11, people throughout the Commonwealth and beyond pause for a moment of silence. They gather at cenotaphs, war memorials, schools, and workplaces to honour men and women who gave their lives in military service.
This solemn day, known as Remembrance Day, invites not only remembrance of the fallen but also reflection on the cost of war, the value of peace, and our enduring duty to protect freedom.
“Although it originated after the First World War, Remembrance Day remains profoundly relevant today, reminding us that the lessons of history must never be forgotten.”
Origins and Historical Significance
Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919, marking the first anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War. The armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m. — the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
The war had lasted over four years and claimed more than 16 million lives worldwide, including more than 60,000 Canadians. Entire towns lost a generation of young men, and countless families were left forever altered.
Commemoration and Legacy
In the years following the war, communities sought lasting ways to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Monuments, cenotaphs, and memorial ceremonies were created throughout Europe, Canada, Australia, and other nations to keep their memory alive.
Author’s summary: A global moment of silence on November 11 unites generations in reflecting on sacrifice, peace, and the enduring responsibility to remember history’s cost.