Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day is observed across Canada each year on November 11 to honour members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Commonwealth forces who served and died in war, military conflict, and peacekeeping operations. Its origins lie in Armistice Day, which marked the armistice ending the First World War at the eleventh hour of November 11, 1918. Canada’s Parliament officially adopted the name “Remembrance Day” in 1931, broadening the commemoration beyond the First World War to include Canadians who served in the Second World War, the Korean War, later international missions, and peacekeeping operations.

The day holds national, civic, and personal significance. It recalls the more than 600,000 Canadians who served in the First World War, including approximately 61,000 who died, while also recognizing the sacrifices of service members and veterans across later generations. Modern remembrance increasingly acknowledges the contributions of women, Indigenous peoples, Black Canadians, racialized communities, and other groups whose service has been part of Canada’s military history. In 2026, Remembrance Day will fall on Wednesday, November 11, and ceremonies will continue to connect historical memory with contemporary commitments to veterans, military families, peace, and democratic values.

The central tradition is the Remembrance Day ceremony, usually held at a cenotaph, war memorial, school, military base, or community gathering place. Ceremonies commonly include a parade or procession, the arrival of veterans and serving personnel, the singing of “O Canada,” prayers or readings, laying wreaths, the Last Post, a period of silence, Reveille or Rouse, and the playing of “The Lament.” At 11:00 a.m., many Canadians observe two minutes of silence in memory of those who served and sacrificed. Speeches, the reading of “In Flanders Fields,” and the recitation of the Act of Remembrance are also customary.

The red poppy is the best-known symbol of Remembrance Day in Canada. In the weeks before November 11, volunteers distribute poppies through the Royal Canadian Legion’s Poppy Campaign, with donations supporting veterans and their families. People traditionally wear the poppy on the left side of their clothing, close to the heart, and remove it after November 11. Schools often organize assemblies, history lessons, art projects, and visits from veterans, while broadcasters present documentaries and commemorative programming. Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday in most provinces and territories, although rules concerning closures and paid leave vary by jurisdiction. Appropriate greetings include “Lest we forget” and “We will remember them,” while “Happy Remembrance Day” is generally avoided because the occasion is solemn rather than celebratory.