Remembrance Sunday
105 days until Remembrance Sunday
About Remembrance Sunday
Remembrance Sunday is held across the United Kingdom on the second Sunday of November to honour the military and civilian servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives in the World Wars and subsequent conflicts.
History
Following the conclusion of the First World War in 1918, Armistice Day was initially commemorated every 11 November. In 1919, a temporary wood and plaster monument designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens was erected on Whitehall for the Peace Day parade. Its immense popularity led to the commissioning of a permanent Portland stone Cenotaph, unveiled in 1920, which became the focal point for national mourning.
During the Second World War, the main national commemorations on 11 November were suspended to avoid disrupting war production. In 1946, King George VI formally established Remembrance Sunday—observed on the Sunday closest to Armistice Day—as the primary national occasion of commemoration, allowing the whole nation to gather without affecting the working week.
Traditions & Celebrations
At 11:00 am, a nationwide two-minute silence is observed, initiated at the Cenotaph in Whitehall by the chimes of Big Ben. Members of the Royal Family, government leaders, and Commonwealth representatives lay red poppy wreaths at the foot of the memorial, followed by a march-past of thousands of military veterans. Parallel services, parades, and wreath-laying ceremonies take place at local war memorials, churches, and civic spaces across the country. In the weeks leading up to the day, millions of people wear red poppies distributed by the Royal British Legion to show respect and raise funds for the armed forces community.
Did you know?
- The word 'cenotaph' derives from ancient Greek and translates to 'empty tomb', symbolising those who lost their lives abroad without a known grave.
- The concept of the two-minute silence was suggested in 1919 by Sir Percy FitzPatrick, inspired by a daily period of reflection held in Cape Town during World War I.
- While the red poppy is the traditional emblem of remembrance, white poppies are worn by some individuals as a symbol of pacifism and a commitment to peace.
- The bugle call 'Last Post' played during services was originally used in military encampments to signal that the final inspection of the day was complete.
Remembrance Sunday dates by year
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Remembrance Sunday the same as Armistice Day?
Armistice Day takes place specifically on 11 November to mark the 1918 end of First World War hostilities. Remembrance Sunday takes place on the second Sunday of November as the primary national day of commemoration for all past and present conflicts.
Why is the red poppy used as a symbol of remembrance?
Red poppies were among the first plants to bloom on the devastated battlefields of Flanders during the First World War, a image immortalised by Canadian doctor John McCrae in his poem 'In Flanders Fields'.
Who organises the Poppy Appeal in the UK?
The annual Poppy Appeal is run by the Royal British Legion, a charity providing financial, social, and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces.