Summary

• Canadians observe Remembrance Day on November 11 every year to honour and remember soldiers who sacrificed their lives in World War I.
• Let’s remember the sacrifices of Canadians who took part in World War 1 and defended Canada and Canadian values.
• Compared to the past, Remembrance Day invokes the feeling of empathy, peace, humanitarian values, and the diversity of the country among Canadians.  

Significance of Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day is celebrated all over Canada, but it is not a statutory holiday in all provinces. In those provinces, such as Ontario, where it is not a stat holiday, some employers still opt to give a day off to employees.

Canadians wear red poppies on this day as a symbol of remembrance. An annual ceremony is also held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

The ceremony is led by the Royal Canadian Legion, in which the Prime Minister of Canada and other dignitaries also participate.

The participants of the ceremony also lay a wreath and observe two minutes of silence in honour of the soldiers. It is an important occasion for veterans and their families; therefore, many of them participate in the ceremony every year.

The federal and provincial governments also organise several other ceremonies at important cemeteries, museums, and other such locations on this day. Many museums also do not charge an entry fee on Remembrance Day so that more people can participate in the events.

History of Remembrance Day

The history of Remembrance Day goes back to World War 1. When the United Kingdom declared war on Germany, Canada automatically entered World War 1 on August 4, 1914.

The reason behind this was that Canada was a British Dominion, and thus its foreign policy was tied to the UK. After the end of the war, the British Empire decided to observe Armistice Day in 1919.

Later, the Canadian Parliament established an Armistice Day statute in 1921. Thus, requiring ceremonies to be held on the first Monday of the week of November 11. However, this coincided with the Thanksgiving Day vacation in the country.

For much of the 1920s, Canadians marked the occasion with minimal public display. Veterans and their families met in churches and at local memorials, but few other Canadians attended.

In 1928, some prominent residents, many of whom were veterans, advocated for increased recognition and the separation of combat sacrifice from the Thanksgiving holiday.

Finally, in 1931, the federal government declared that the newly called Remembrance Day would be marked on November 11th.

Thus, moving Thanksgiving Day to a different date. Remembrance Day would focus on the memory of dead troops rather than the political and military events that led to victory in World War I.

How Remembrance Day Connects Canadians Today

With the passage of time, the importance of Remembrance Day has evolved in Canada. Over the last few decades, the focus of this day has changed from World War 1 and 2 to all service members who are serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Compared to the past, Canadians now talk more about peace, empathy, humanitarian values, and the diversity of the country.

Unlike the past, there is a growing emphasis on reconciliation with the Indigenous people, especially Indigenous veterans.

In short, the emphasis is on modern Canada and its role and challenges in global politics.

Canada is a multicultural country, and the arrival of new immigrants has also evolved the perception of Remembrance Day in Canada. Those who have come from other countries view World War 1 and 2 from other perspectives, too.

Today, Remembrance Day is more about learning from past wars rather than celebrating victories in battles and wars over other countries.

Despite all these changes over the last few decades, one aspect of Remembrance Day remained the same, and that is to remember the soldiers and their sacrifices for Canada. To honour all those who sacrificed their lives or got wounded for the sake of the country.

Conclusion

Today. Remembrance Day is a much more powerful force that connects all Canadians compared to the past. Let’s remember the sacrifices of Canadians who took part in World War 1 and defended Canada and Canadian values. Edison College joins the nation in observing Remembrance Day as the nation remembers all those who have fallen for the country.

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