Nov 8, 2020
Poppies are worn by millions as a symbol to remember all of the people who have given their lives for their country in war
Armistice Day is on 11 November and is also known as Remembrance Day.
It marks the day World War One ended, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918.
A two-minute silence is held at 11am to remember the people who have died in wars.
There is also Remembrance Sunday every year, which falls on the second Sunday in November.
Remembrance Day: Why it's important
Armistice Day is on 11 November and is also known as Remembrance Day.
It marks the day World War One ended, at 11 am on the 11th day of the 11th month, back in 1918.
Nowadays, people remember those who were lost in the war by holding a two-minute silence and by wearing a red poppy.
What do the different coloured poppies mean?
What are the alternatives to wearing a red poppy?
There are different colours of poppies that you can wear, which have different meanings. For example, a white poppy is a symbol of remembrance which has a particular emphasis on peace.
The Royal British Legion explains on its website: "We have no objection to white poppies or any group expressing their views. We see no conflict in wearing the red poppy alongside the white poppy. We do ask that the items are not offered alongside each other, however, as this would confuse the public."
While some people appreciate these additional options to express remembrance and respect, others do not agree with them.
There are many ways that people commemorate those who have lost their lives in or been affected by conflict, in addition to wearing poppies. For example, holding a silence or ringing a bell.
Many people choose to wear a poppy in November for Remembrance Day to show respect for the people who died fighting in the First World War and the conflicts that followed it.
If you do wear a poppy, when should you wear it?
Even for those who do wear poppies, sometimes there is confusion about how you 'should' or 'shouldn't' wear it.
Some people say you should wear your poppy from 31 October. Others say you should wear it in the 11 days leading up to Remembrance Day. Some believe you shouldn't wear one until after Bonfire night on 5 November.
The Royal British Legion say if you want to wear a poppy, you can wear it any time you like.
But there are other coloured poppies too - purple, black and white - that have different meanings.
What does the red poppy mean?
Red poppy: Memorial to World War One and following conflicts
The red poppy is the most famous symbol used to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives in World War One and conflicts that followed.
Wearing a poppy was inspired by the fields of poppies that grew where many of the battles were fought.
The red poppy is connected to the Royal British Legion - a charity created by veterans of World War One.
They say that the red poppy represents remembrance and hope.
What does the purple poppy mean?
Purple poppy: To remember animal victims of war
The purple poppy is often worn to remember animals that have been victims of war.
Animals like horses, dogs and pigeons were often drafted into the war effort, and those that wear the purple poppy feel their service should be seen as equal to that of human service.
In particular, many horses were killed or injured in World War One.
Donations to the Purple Poppy Appeal, which is organised by the War Horse Memorial, will go to charities like World Horse Welfare and the animal charity, Blue Cross.
What does the black poppy mean?
Black poppy: Remembering African, black and Caribbean communities' contribution
The black poppy has two different meanings attached to it.
The campaign organisers say that while they also support the red poppy, they feel that the black poppy highlights this contribution and the place of black, African and Caribbean communities in remembrance.
What does the white poppy mean?
White poppy: Remembers people who died in conflict with a focus on an end to war
Some people feel that the red poppy glorifies war and conflict. Instead they might choose to wear a white poppy.
The white poppy is handed out by a charity called Peace Pledge Union, which promotes peace.
They say that the white poppy commemorates people who died in conflict, but focuses on achieving peace and challenging the way we look at war.
It is most commonly associated with the commemoration of black, African and Caribbean communities' contribution to the war effort - as servicemen and servicewomen, and as civilians.
Why do some people choose not to wear a poppy?
The Royal British Legion says wearing a poppy is a personal choice and it should be about your own thoughts and memories.
They say it is greatly appreciated by those it helps - those serving in the Armed Forces, former servicemen and women, and their families.
However, not everyone chooses to wear a red poppy for many different reasons.
Some people feel the red poppy has become too political, and that some politicians have used the powerful feelings it creates to justify war.
Others refuse to wear poppies because they feel there is too much pressure put on people to wear them.
In 2018, Man United midfielder Nemanja Matic explained why he wouldn't wear a poppy.
He says it's because it reminds him of when his Serbian village was attacked by NATO forces - which includes those from the UK and the US - when he was 12.
"I recognise fully why people wear poppies, I totally respect everyone's right to do so and I have total sympathy for anyone who has lost loved ones due to conflict.
"However, for me it is only a reminder of an attack that I felt personally as a young, frightened 12-year-old boy living in Vrelo, as my country was devastated by the bombing of Serbia in 1999."
"Whilst I have done so previously, on reflection I now don't feel it is right for me to wear the poppy on my shirt. I do not want to undermine the poppy as a symbol of pride within Britain or offend anyone. However, we are all a product of our own upbringing and this is a personal choice for the reasons outlined," he said.
The Royal British Legion, which runs the poppy campaign each year, says that the red poppy is an emblem of remembrance and hope. It points out that it is not "blood" red or a sign of support for war and death.
The organisation also says that it should not be seen as a symbol of religion or politics.
"We take the view that the poppy represents sacrifices made in the defence of freedom and so the decision to wear it must be a matter of personal choice and we would never insist upon it," it says.
Each year, millions of people wear a red poppy for remembrance as a mark of respect for all those who have lost their lives fighting on behalf of their country, and to raise money for those whose lives have been affected by war.
But not everybody wears this symbol and some people have disagreements over its use.
On this day, there are usually ceremonies at war memorials, cenotaphs and churches throughout the country, as well as abroad.
The Royal Family and top politicians gather at The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, for a memorial service.
The anniversary is used to remember all the people who have died in wars - not just World War One.
This includes World War Two, the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Why do we hold a two-minute silence?
The first two-minute silence in Britain was held on 11 November 1919, when King George V asked the public to observe a silence at 11am.
This was one year after the end of World War One.
He made the request so "the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead".
Does it matter on which side you wear your poppy?
The Queen wears her poppies on the left hand side of her coat
Many people say you should wear it on the left side of your coat or clothes, showing that you keep those who died close to your heart.
It's also the side that military medals are worn on.
Others say men should wear it on the left and women on the right, like a badge or brooch.
Some also say that for poppies which have a green leaf (not all of them do), this should always point to 11am, as this is the time at which the guns fell silent.
But the Royal British Legion says: "There is no right or wrong way to wear a poppy. It is a matter of personal choice whether an individual chooses to wear a poppy and also how they choose to wear it. The best way to wear a poppy is to wear it with pride."
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