What is Remembrance Day in Canada?

It is the day each year, November 11, when Canadians remember the sacrifices of veterans and of those who died in all the wars Canada has taken part in.

What happened on November 11, 1918?

The First World War ended. Germany and Austria surrendered, and the war ended with the Armistice on November 11, 1918.

What does the poppy mean on Remembrance Day?

Discover Canada’s practice questions say the poppy is about remembering the sacrifice of Canadians who served or died in wars, up to the present day.

Who wrote In Flanders Fields?

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian medical officer, wrote it in 1915. It is often recited on Remembrance Day.

When is the moment of silence on Remembrance Day?

Canadians observe a moment of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Remembrance Day Canada: The Poppy and In Flanders Fields

What Remembrance Day is

Remembrance Day is held every year on November 11. On this day, Canadians honour the sacrifices of veterans and of the brave fallen in every war Canadians have fought in, up to today.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Women Get the Vote, p. 22 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

November 11 and the First World War

November 11 is also the date the First World War ended. After Germany and Austria surrendered, the war ended with the Armistice on November 11, 1918.Discover Canada, Canada's History › The First World War, p. 20 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Canadians keep a moment of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Women Get the Vote, p. 22 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

The red poppy

On Remembrance Day, Canadians wear a red poppy.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Women Get the Vote, p. 22 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

The guide’s own practice questions ask what the Remembrance Day poppy means. The correct answer is that it remembers the sacrifice of Canadians who served or died in wars, up to the present day.Discover Canada, › Study Questions, p. 52 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

The poem “In Flanders Fields”

John McCrae, a Canadian medical officer with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, wrote the poem “In Flanders Fields” in 1915.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Women Get the Vote, p. 22 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

People often recite the poem on Remembrance Day. Discover Canada prints the full poem in its history chapter.

Other ways Canada remembers

The Peace Tower of the Parliament Buildings was finished in 1927 as a memorial to the First World War.Discover Canada, Canadian Symbols › Parliament Buildings, p. 38 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
Inside the tower, the Memorial Chamber holds the Books of Remembrance. Written in them are the names of soldiers, sailors and airmen who died while serving Canada, in wars or on duty.
April 9 is celebrated as Vimy Day. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was fought on April 9, 1917, during the First World War.Discover Canada, Canada's History › The First World War, p. 20 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Study this for the citizenship test

Remembrance Day is covered in the history chapter of Discover Canada, the official study guide for the test. To review it, read our study notes for Canada’s history at /discover-canada/canadas-history, then try the free chapter quiz at /chapters/canadas-history.

Common questions

What is Remembrance Day in Canada?: It is the day each year, November 11, when Canadians remember the sacrifices of veterans and of those who died in all the wars Canada has taken part in.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Women Get the Vote, p. 22 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
What happened on November 11, 1918?: The First World War ended. Germany and Austria surrendered, and the war ended with the Armistice on November 11, 1918.Discover Canada, Canada's History › The First World War, p. 20 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
What does the poppy mean on Remembrance Day?: Discover Canada’s practice questions say the poppy is about remembering the sacrifice of Canadians who served or died in wars, up to the present day.Discover Canada, › Study Questions, p. 52 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
Who wrote In Flanders Fields?: Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian medical officer, wrote it in 1915. It is often recited on Remembrance Day.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Women Get the Vote, p. 22 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
When is the moment of silence on Remembrance Day?: Canadians observe a moment of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Women Get the Vote, p. 22 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)