Join the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in celebrating international Remembrance Day.
Each year on 11 November at 11h00, Remembrance Day, also known as, Poppy Day or Armistice Day is celebrated by Commonwealth countries and the other countries of the world remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
On 11 November 1918 the end of the First World War was celebrated. Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, the author of Jock of the Bushveld, whose son died in the war, suggested that this day must be celebrated each year. King George V called upon his people to celebrate the anniversary of the Armistice each year on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month with a two minute pause from work. The first minute is a time of thanksgiving for those who have survived. The second minute is to remember the fallen.
“I am the Unknown Soldier
And maybe I died in vain
But if I were alive and my country called,
I’d do it all over again.”
Billy Rose
The red poppy, a native plant on the Western Front became a powerful symbol of remembrance. The war disrupted the landscape and the poppy thrived in the environment. The red color became the symbol for blood spilled during the war. It is with this in mind, that the poppy is worn on lapels on Remembrance Day.
Media enquiries:
Tankiso Zola
Tel: 051 410 4742/4786/4719
Cell: 082 940 2392
E-mail: tankiso@sacr.fs.gov.za
General enquiries:
Kgotso Tlhapi
Tel: 051 4104830
Cell: 082 608 9885
E-mail: tlhapig@sacr.fs.gov.za
