Wearing a Poppy

• Individuals often wear a poppy on the days leading up to and including Remembrance Day. The poppy is the primary symbol of Remembrance Day, serving as a reminder of the sacrifice made by veterans in conflicts throughout the world since World War I. The poppy was referenced by Canadian soldier and poet John McCrae, who wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields," which pointed out that poppies grew on top of the graves of soldiers buried in Flanders, a battlefield spanning southern Belgium and north-west France.
  
  

11/11/11 Moment of Silence

• World War I officially came to an end with the signing of an armistice between the Allies and Germany on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month: 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918. Accordingly, that time became associated with the end of the war, and was chosen as an appropriate time to observe a moment of silence on honor of those who died fighting. So a moment of silence is observed at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, a time when individuals are meant to reflect on the gift given by war veterans.
  
  

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

• Many countries -- not just Commonwealth countries -- have a tomb in which are placed the remains of an unknown soldier, which is used as a monument in commemoration of the service of war veterans. On Remembrance Day, this tomb is often the site of memorial services. In some cases, such as Canada, flowers are placed at the tomb, or poppies are placed on top of the tomb, to commemorate that soldier and all others who have served in combat since World War I.
  
  

Remembrance Day Ceremony

• The Remembrance Day ceremony is the culmination point of many Remembrance Day customs and traditions. While ceremonies vary from country to country and site to site, most ceremonies feature the aforementioned moment of silence and laying of the wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. These ceremonies often also include military bands playing "The Last Post" and the national anthem of the country. The ceremonies usually include a speech by a government official and larger ceremonies may feature a fly-over by military jets.