Remembrance Day: what it means

The story of Remembrance Day

The First World War ended with an armistice — an agreement to stop fighting — that took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month: 11 a.m. on 11 November 1918. A year later, people began marking the day to remember those who had died.

Today, Remembrance Day remembers members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty, in the First World War and in the wars and conflicts since. At 11 a.m., many people stop what they're doing and keep a silence — often two minutes in the UK — to remember together.

In the UK, the main services take place on Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday in November, including the national service at the Cenotaph in London. In Canada and Australia, ceremonies are held at war memorials across the country on 11 November.

Why the poppy?

Red poppies bloomed on the churned-up battlefields of Flanders, in Belgium and northern France. A Canadian doctor, John McCrae, wrote about them in his 1915 poem "In Flanders Fields," and the poppy became the symbol of remembrance. Since 1921, poppies have been sold to raise money for veterans and their families.

"Lest we forget" and "We will remember them"

Two phrases you'll often hear: "Lest we forget" (from a poem by Rudyard Kipling) means "so that we never forget," and "We will remember them" comes from Laurence Binyon's 1914 poem "For the Fallen," often read aloud at services.

Simple ways to take part

• Wear a poppy and join the silence at 11 a.m.
• Write a letter to a care home "To a Veteran Resident." Print a ready-made letter.
• Visit a local war memorial or attend a service.
• Ask a family member who served to share a story or a photo, if they're comfortable.

Printable activities

Large print and black-and-white friendly — for classrooms, families and care home activity groups. Each prints on one page.

For care homes: a gentle Remembrance gathering

1. Before the day: ask families and staff which residents served or lost loved ones, and how each would like to take part. Some will want to be honoured; others would rather sit quietly.
2. Set the room: poppies, a wreath residents have made together, and music from the era — the songs they grew up with.
3. Keep the silence: gather just before 11 a.m. and keep a short silence together. Read "We will remember them" aloud if residents would like.
4. Do something together: the poppy colouring page, word search, or writing back to the people who sent letters with our large-print resident sheet.
5. Talk, gently: use a few prompts below in a small group, then finish with tea and something cheerful.

Conversation prompts

• What was it like to be young in the year you joined?
• Where did you travel or live during your service?
• What did you do for fun with your friends back then?
• What music did you listen to?
• What food did you miss most from home?
• Who wrote letters to you? What did you love getting in the post?
• What is something you learned that stayed with you all your life?

For teachers & parents: a 30-minute activity

1. Read (5 min): share "The story of Remembrance Day" above. Ask: "Why do we wear poppies?"
2. Play (10 min): the crossword (older pupils), word search, or poppy colouring page — or colour a "Lest We Forget" poster for the classroom door.
3. Write (10 min): write a letter using our ready-made letters — younger children can sign the "From a child or class" version and add a drawing.
4. Post (5 min): address one large envelope to a local care home "To the Veteran Residents, Attn: Activities." See how.

Children take part through a teacher's or parent's account — please use first names only in letters.