by Anura Guruge
on November 11, 2021
Unlike ‘Memorial Day‘, ‘Labor Day‘ or for that matter ‘Thanksgiving (U.S.)‘, ‘Veterans Day‘ is NOT a moveable holiday. It is always marked on November 11 (i.e., 11/11) of each year — as of 1938 (i.e., for the last 83 years).
There is a profound reason for this, i.e., marking it on 11/11. That was when what was the horror of WW I formally came to an end — the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 (11:00 11/11/1918). That was Armistice Day.
Though a lot of wars, though none probably as brutal & horrific as WW I, have come & gone, we still mark Veterans Day & Remembrance Day to mark 11/11.
We Brits, & our dear kin from the glorious British Commonwealth, can never forget the 11/11 significance because of our wonderful & SACRED red poppy tradition. When we wear (or see) a red poppy we automatically think of ‘Flanders Field‘, WW I & what all of that entailed.
The U.S., alas, does not have the red poppy tradition though I even wrote to President Obama asking him to try & make it a reality. I am, however, seeing signs that red poppies might start growing in popularity in the U.S. as time passes.
But, for now, for today, please remember, that Veterans Day is always on 11/11 because that was Armistice Day. Thank you.
Please listen to this from the incomparable ‘Eric Bogle‘. One of my favorites.
