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Remembrance Day
DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)
n. — Military
November 11. The anniversary of the armstice at the end of the First World War in 1918 and a statutory holiday in most provinces.
Type: 4. Culturally Significant — Between 1919 and 1930, the terms Remembrance Day and Armistice Day were used interchangeably. In 1931 the name was officially changed to Remembrance Day, emphasizing the memory of the war and the soldiers who died in battle, rather than the armistice, which was a political achievement (see Canadian Encyclopedia reference).
The initial Armistice Day Act, adopted in May 1921, stated that a memorial day would be held on the Monday of the week in which November 11th fell. However, this decision meant an overlap with Thanksgiving Day, which was celebrated in November until 1957 (see Canadian Thanksgiving), and the overlap was unpopular with veterans and the general public alike (see the 1921 quotation). In 1931, a bill was passed stating that Remembrance Day should be observed on November 11 and "on no other date" (see Canadian War Museum reference and the 1931 quotation).
Since 1919, the day has been marked with the observance of two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. and memorial gatherings. The term is culturally salient, because by the end of the war Canadian soldiers were winning major battles under the command of a Canadian-born general, Sir Arthur Currie. Their success continued the process of Canadian national independence from Britain.
The term is used in the UK as well, and in other Commonwealth countries, yet, as Chart 1 shows, the term is most frequent in Canada.
See also Gage-1, s.v. "Remembrance Day", ITP Nelson, s.v. "Remembrance Day", which is described as "in Canada", and OED-3, s.v. "Remembrance Day", W-3, s.v. "Remembrance Day", AHD-5, s.v. "Remembrance Day".
The initial Armistice Day Act, adopted in May 1921, stated that a memorial day would be held on the Monday of the week in which November 11th fell. However, this decision meant an overlap with Thanksgiving Day, which was celebrated in November until 1957 (see Canadian Thanksgiving), and the overlap was unpopular with veterans and the general public alike (see the 1921 quotation). In 1931, a bill was passed stating that Remembrance Day should be observed on November 11 and "on no other date" (see Canadian War Museum reference and the 1931 quotation).
Since 1919, the day has been marked with the observance of two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. and memorial gatherings. The term is culturally salient, because by the end of the war Canadian soldiers were winning major battles under the command of a Canadian-born general, Sir Arthur Currie. Their success continued the process of Canadian national independence from Britain.
The term is used in the UK as well, and in other Commonwealth countries, yet, as Chart 1 shows, the term is most frequent in Canada.
See also Gage-1, s.v. "Remembrance Day", ITP Nelson, s.v. "Remembrance Day", which is described as "in Canada", and OED-3, s.v. "Remembrance Day", W-3, s.v. "Remembrance Day", AHD-5, s.v. "Remembrance Day".
Quotations
1918
In every church in the city some reference was made to it being the fourth anniversary of the war, while in most of the churches the minister preached an appropriate sermon at either the morning or evening service. Special references were made to yesterday being Remembrance Day in the prayers, and supplication was made for victory of allied arms.
1921
Archdeacon Bliss, rector of St. John's Anglican Church, criticized the Canadian Government yesterday for seeking to merge Thanksgiving Day with Armistice Day, and intimated that in his church each would be observed by itself.
Today at a morning memorial service in a local theatre, Vice-President Allport of the Smith's Falls branch of the G.W.V.A. said that henceforth veterans here would observe only Nov. 11 as Armistice Day.
1931
As a result of a bill adopted by the House of Commons and forwarded to the Senate, Armistice Day will yield to Remembrance Day as an annual observance of the ending of the Great War. By this legislation Thanksgiving Day will cease to be associated, as heretofore, with commemoration of the Armistice, and is to fixed by Order-in-Council, probably early in October.
Establishment of Remembrance Day on Nov. 11 of each year as a legal holiday, and as something altogether separate from the regular day of thanksgiving, should meet the approval of the Canadian people. Remembrance day will in a special manner recall the sacrifices made on their country's behalf by a host of valliant men. Their memory will live forever, but it is well that a day should be set aside for formal expression of the gratitude of all the people. The change from "Armistice" to "Remembrance" is said to have the approval of the Canadian Legion, whose members in a very particular way are concerned in anything that is done to honor their fallen comrades.
There should also be approval of restoring to an early date in October the date of general thanksgiving for the bounties of Providence. At this season the harvests have been garnered, and the peace of autumn is settling over the land. The gaieties of the summer months are yielding to thoughtful preparation for the sterner winter season, and mankind is in a mood to be thankful for many favors received during the year.
Dissociation of these two occasions will permit each to be more suitably observed. Remembrance Day will provide opportunity for concentrated expression of gratitude for deliverance from a great peril and for honoring the heroic dead, while on Thanksgiving Day there may be expressed a people's reverent acknowledgment of Divine blessings vouchsafed throughout the year.
Establishment of Remembrance Day on Nov. 11 of each year as a legal holiday, and as something altogether separate from the regular day of thanksgiving, should meet the approval of the Canadian people. Remembrance day will in a special manner recall the sacrifices made on their country's behalf by a host of valliant men. Their memory will live forever, but it is well that a day should be set aside for formal expression of the gratitude of all the people. The change from "Armistice" to "Remembrance" is said to have the approval of the Canadian Legion, whose members in a very particular way are concerned in anything that is done to honor their fallen comrades.
There should also be approval of restoring to an early date in October the date of general thanksgiving for the bounties of Providence. At this season the harvests have been garnered, and the peace of autumn is settling over the land. The gaieties of the summer months are yielding to thoughtful preparation for the sterner winter season, and mankind is in a mood to be thankful for many favors received during the year.
Dissociation of these two occasions will permit each to be more suitably observed. Remembrance Day will provide opportunity for concentrated expression of gratitude for deliverance from a great peril and for honoring the heroic dead, while on Thanksgiving Day there may be expressed a people's reverent acknowledgment of Divine blessings vouchsafed throughout the year.
1939
MRS. T. DAWSON is general convener for the Remembrance Day tea to be held be the Ladies' Auxiliary, Valour Road Memorial Branch, Canadian Legion, B.E.S.L., in the Institute for the Blind, November 1 from 2.30 to 6 p.m.
1950
Branch 213 of the Canadian Legion will participate in services at the Weston cenotaph in Little Ave. park at 11 a.m. following a parade from Main St. On Sunday a Remembrance Day service will be conducted by Reb. E. B. Eddy in Central United Church.
1963
"If the Government would lead the way and close down its office on Remembrance Day, we might have a public holiday on Remembrance Day," Mr. Gellatly said.
Mr. Walter said that a holiday for pupils tends to become a time for cheerfulness rather than a time for meditation on the awful nature of war.
1974
I've never paid much, if any, attention to Armistice Day, Remembrance Day as they call it now.
1987
Secondly, on Nov. 13, in a postscript to the observances of Remembrance Day, Dame Vera Lynn performed at the National Arts Centre. The audience heard one of the greatest surviving stars of the Second World War, her voice seemingly untouched by the years. Simultaneously, one could feel almost tangibly the emotion that she evoked among the large number of veterans at the sold-out performance.
1995
As politicians and dignitaries laid Remembrance Day wreaths at the National War Memorial yesterday, Bill Thresh watched and recalled another Nov. 11, when the guns fell silent and World War I ended.
2008
What if, instead of focusing our collective attention annually on "Remembrance" Day, we focused instead on "Peace" Day?
Remembrance Day hasn't helped stop further wars. They still continue, and Canada's long-standing role as a global peacemaker has been eroded. It's time to stop the warmongering.
2013
Annually, she recites On Flanders Field at various Remembrance Day services. And always, she appears impeccably turned out in either her WWII nursing uniform or battle dress.
References
- OED-3
- AHD-5
- Gage-1
- ITP Nelson
- Canadian War Museum • "Remembrance Day Online Exhibit"
- W-3
- Canadian Encyclopedia • "Remembrance Day"
Images
