EVESHAM and Pershore will fall silent at 11am today (Friday) to mark Armistice Day – the anniversary of the signing of the agreement which marked the end of the First World War in 1918.
The day will be marked in Worcester and across the Commonwealth with many other countries marking the anniversary as a day of memorial.
Today is the 103rd time the commemorations have been held, dating back to the first official event held by King George V at Buckingham Palace in 1919 during a visit from then French President Raymond Poincaré.
It is traditionally marked with a two-minute silence – here’s when it will be observed, and everything else you need to know.
What time is the two-minute silence?
Traditionally, a two-minute silence is held at 11am, recognising the precise time that the hostilities ceased in 1918 – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
What was the First World War Armistice?
The Armistice was signed by representatives of the Allies and officials from Germany, declaring an end to the First World War with the cessation of hostilities on land, sea and air.
By the end of September 1918, the German high command had largely recognised that their military prospects had become hopeless.
They began to negotiate peace with the allies on Wednesday, October 5, by sending a message to the former US president Woodrow Wilson, who had proposed his “Fourteen Points” for peace at the start of 1918.
Despite a late change of heart by the influential General Erich Ludendorff, any appetite for battle had left the shattered German army after four years of gruelling conflict.
The Allies began discussing a truce on November 5, although the European powers were generally opposed to President Wilson’s Fourteen Points, considering them idealistic.
An agreement was eventually agreed upon at 5am on 11 November, to come into effect at 11am Paris time.
Although it marked the end of all hostilities, the nations were officially involved in a state of war for seven more months, until the signing of the controversial Treaty of Versailles on 28 June, 1919.
When is Remembrance Sunday 2022?
Remembrance Sunday always falls on the second weekend of November, which means this year’s memorial takes place on Sunday November, 13.
Outside the capital, most British cities hold events commemorating Remembrance Sunday, generally taking place at war memorials or public spaces and including parades, silent reflection and readings.
Why do we wear poppies to mark Remembrance Day?
The poppy has been a prominent symbol of remembrance for almost a century, with millions of commemorative flowers produced every year to pay tribute to the war dead.
Its origins lie in the opening lines of war poem In Flanders Fields by Canadian officer John McCrae, first published in December 1915: “In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row”.
When do you stop wearing a poppy?
There is no set date when you’re meant to stop wearing the symbol, so there’s no need to worry about getting something wrong.
Is there a ‘right’ side to wear the poppy?
Some people say a poppy should be worn on the left lapel, to keep it close to your heart – it is also the side that medals are worn by the Armed Forces.
Others argue that the symbol should be displayed on the left by men and the right by women, the traditional positions of a badge or brooch.
However, the British Legion insists there is no right or wrong way.
