The poppy is a striking symbol of remembrance (Picture: Julian Eales/PA Wire)
Remembrance Day poppies will start popping up around Britain very soon in the run-up to Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
Every year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the whole of Britain falls silent for two minutes.
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This year, Remembrance Sunday will be held on November 10 while Armistice Day, November 11, falls on a Monday.
Millions across the country will wear a poppy to show respect for the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and II as well as all of those affected by war to this day.
But when should you start wearing it?
When should you wear your poppy?
Poppies are on sale now from the Royal British Legion.
The normal paper poppies are available this year, in addition to a new brooch and scarf created by furniture designer, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.
Many people will start to wear the poppies on October 31, as this is 11 days before Remembrance Day, as a symbol of honouring those affected by war.
There are differing opinions as to when exactly one should wear a poppy, some say not until after Halloween and Bonfire Night, while others suggest it should only be worn on Remembrance Sunday.
Millions will wear one (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
You should wear your poppy on the left side to symbolise those who were lost as being close to our hearts.
Armistice Day is always held on November 11 as this is the day World War I ended.
Every year Remembrance Sunday is always held on the weekend so everyone has the chance to pay their respects.
(Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
The King, Queen and Royal Family as well as the Prime Minister and members of Parliament usually attend a National Service for Remembrance at The Cenotaph in Whitehall to pay their respects.
Why are poppies the symbol for fallen soldiers?
Poppies are said to be the flower that sprung up out of the freshly-dug graves of the dead soldiers in Flanders Fields in Belgium.
The poem Flanders Fields recalls the scene and was written by Canadian Doctor John McCrae when he noticed the bloom.
(Picture: PA)
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae, May 1915.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place, and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead; short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe!
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high!
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
(Picture: REUTERS/Toby Melville)
The poem was published in Punch magazine on December 8, 1915, which inspired the use of silk poppies as a sign of remembrance and hope.
Donate to the Royal British Legion or contribute to their Poppy appeal here.
MORE : Remembrance Day: When is the two-minute silence and why do …read more
Source:: Metro
