When is Remembrance Day?
Remembrance Day is commemorated on the 11th November each year, and marks the end of World War I in 1918. It may also be commonly known as Armistice Day.
The intention of the day is to remember the fallen on both sides in the 'Great war'.
In Canada, Remembrance Day is a public holiday and federal statutory holiday, as well as a statutory holiday in all three territories and in six of the ten provinces.
Why Remembrance Day is important
On Remembrance Day, Canadians pause to honour the men and women who have served, and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace. More than 2,300,000 Canadians have served and more than 118,000 made the ultimate sacrifice.
The poppy is the symbol of Remembrance Day. In the run up to Remembrance Day, replica poppies are sold by the Royal Canadian Legion to provide assistance to veterans.
11th November marks the signing of the armistice (peace agreement) between the Allies and Germany at Compiègne, France.
The armistice took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning - the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month."
However, while this date is used to reflect the end of the whole war, it technically relates to the cease fire on the Western Front; fighting continued after 11th November in parts of the Ottoman Empire.
Our offices will be CLOSED on November 12 in lieu of November 11th statutory holiday.