On Remembrance Day, we’re looking back on the occasion and how it has been marked over the years.

Former soldier Carl Lewthwaite at the Poppy Appeal launchFormer soldier Carl Lewthwaite at the Poppy Appeal launch (Image: Mike McKenzie)
This is a day to honour the sacrifices made by British military servicemen and women in the First and Second World Wars and subsequent conflicts. Every year, a two-minute silence is observed at 11am on November 11. It is also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day in the UK and many other countries.

The vintage Poppy Appeal bus visits Cleator Moor The vintage Poppy Appeal bus visits Cleator Moor (Image: Newsquest)
While Remembrance Day is not a public holiday in the UK, most people stop what they are doing and remain silent to pay their respects to the dead.

Betty, Harry and Bill Ritson from Brampton, who were at the centre of the town’s Poppy Appeal for many yearsBetty, Harry and Bill Ritson from Brampton, who were at the centre of the town’s Poppy Appeal for many years
Remembrance Sunday is observed on the second Sunday of November, when the National Service of Remembrance is held at the Cenotaph at Whitehall.

Ethan Scott at a poppy making session at The Wace Centre, MaryportEthan Scott at a poppy making session at The Wace Centre, Maryport (Image: Newsquest)
Originally known as Armistice Day, Remembrance Day was first observed on November 11, 1919, exactly a year after the First World War came to an end and a peace treaty or armistice was signed between Germany and the allied powers.

Dignitaries wait to lay their wreaths on the Cockermouth Cenotaph during the Remembrance Day serviceDignitaries wait to lay their wreaths on the Cockermouth Cenotaph during the Remembrance Day service (Image: Newsquest)
On May 8, 1919, Edward George Honey, an Australian journalist, suggested the observance of a five-minute silence for all those who sacrificed their lives in the war. King George V learned about it on November 7, 1919 and made it official four days later. However, instead of five minutes, he chose the observance of a two-minute silence.

Caldew School year seven pupils take part in the centenary remembrance service at St Michael's Church in DalstonCaldew School year seven pupils take part in the centenary remembrance service at St Michael's Church in Dalston (Image: Newsquest)
The bright red poppy is the official symbol of Remembrance Day in many countries, including the United Kingdom.
During the First World War, much of Western Europe was destroyed and rich and cultivable lands turned barren and unfit for growth. Among such depressing scenes, the Flanders poppy or common poppy continued to flourish.

Nessa Eastburn and Daniel Handley with boots painted with poppies and planted with flowers to lay by the war memorialNessa Eastburn and Daniel Handley with boots painted with poppies and planted with flowers to lay by the war memorial (Image: Newsquest)

An American professor named Moina Michael became very inspired by this and proposed to use it as an official symbol for Remembrance Day in the US as well as in other countries such as the UK, Canada and Australia.

Grange resident The Right Reverend Nigel McCulloch, head of remembrance for the Royal British LegionGrange resident The Right Reverend Nigel McCulloch, head of remembrance for the Royal British Legion (Image: Newsquest)
Every year, the Royal British Legion holds a fundraising drive in the weeks before Remembrance Sunday in which it offers wearable artificial poppies in return for a donation.
In 2018, the poppy artwork Weeping Window by artist Paul Cummins and designer Tom Piper arrived at Carlisle Castle as part of UK-wide tour to mark the centenary of the armistice.