Learn English Online

Double-click any word on my blog to get an instant definition.

My Photo
Name:
Location: Italy

Monday, November 13, 2006

Remembrance day and Memorial day

REMEMBRANCE DAY - 11th November



Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day and Armistice Day is a day to commemorate the sacrifice of veterans and civilians in World War I, World War II, and other wars. It is observed on November 11 to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918. The observance is specifically dedicated to members of the armed forces who were killed during war, and was created by King George V of the United Kingdom on November 7, 1919.

November is the time of the year when they wear a red poppy in momory of those who sacrificed their lives during war.

== > Learn why the poppy became the flower of remembrance == >

A writer first made the connection between the poppy and battlefield deaths during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century, remarking that fields that were barren before battle exploded with the blood-red flowers after the fighting ended.
During the tremendous bombardments of the First World War the chalk soils became rich in lime from rubble, allowing 'popaver rhoeas' to thrive. When the war ended the lime was quickly absorbed, and the poppy began to disappear again.

After John McCrae's poem In Flanders Fields was published in 1915 the poppy became a popular symbol for soldiers who died in battle.
Three years later an American, Moina Michael, was working in a New York City YMCA canteen when she started wearing a poppy in memory of the millions who died on the battlefield.
During a 1920 visit to the United States a French woman, Madame Guerin, learned of the custom. On her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies to raise money for the destitute children in war-torn areas of the country. In November, 1921, the first poppies were distributed in Canada.

http://www.dva.gov.au/commem/rememb/Rem_day.htm


MEMORIAL DAY - May

Memorial Day is much more than a three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. To many people, especially the nation's thousands of combat veterans, this day, which has a history stretching back all the way to the Civil War, is an important reminder of those who died in the service of their country.

http://www.usmemorialday.org/

Labels:

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home

Web stats
Statistiche sito,contatore visite, counter web invisibile