In Canada, the national day of military commemoration is called Remembrance Day, and it is observed annually on November 11. The core subject of this observance is the act of remembrance for armed forces members who died in the line of duty. This date marks the signing of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.
The commemoration is distinguished by several key traditions. A moment of silence is observed nationwide at 11:00 a.m.the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month"to honor the sacrifices of the fallen. The poppy is the central symbol of this day, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields" by Canadian Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. Citizens wear poppies on their lapels as a visual pledge to remember. While it is a national observance, its designation as a statutory public holiday is determined by provincial and territorial governments, with the exception of federally regulated employees.
It is crucial to distinguish this observance from Veterans Day in the United States, although both occur on the same date. Remembrance Day in Canada is primarily a solemn memorial for those who have died in military service. Conversely, the American holiday honors all military veterans, both living and deceased. This difference in focus defines the more somber and commemorative tone of the Canadian tradition.
