About Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is observed globally on 11 November each year to honour those who have given their lives in service, including in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The date marks the anniversary of the Armistice in 1918, which halted hostilities and ended the First World War — a conflict that claimed millions of lives worldwide.
In 1918, Australia made a promise never to forget the service and sacrifice of 416,000 Australians who enlisted and over 60,000 who died. For over 100 years, we have kept this promise. We remember them still.
World War I officially ended on 28 June 1919 with the Treaty of Versailles. The first Remembrance Day was held in 1919 and was originally known as Armistice Day. It was observed for the first time at 11:00am on 11 November 1919, with two minutes of silence.
The silence is observed to remember the moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front and to reflect on the human cost of war. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month has attained special significance since Armistice Day in 1918 and has become universally associated with the remembrance of those who died during World War I. At the time, Prime Minister Billy Hughes said:
Of their deeds it is not necessary for me to speak. Of their valour, endurance and resource at Gallipoli, Pozieres, Baupaume and other famous fields, men still speak with awe.
Hughes put our soldiers' sacrifice into perspective when he added:
Our heritage, our free institutions of government — all that we hold dear — are handed back into our keeping, stained with the blood of sacrifice. Surely not only we, their fellow citizens, but Australians throughout the ages, will treasure forever the memories of those glorious men to whom the Commonwealth owes so much, and will guard with resolute determination the privileges for which they fought and suffered.
After the Second World War, the Australian Government agreed to the United Kingdom's proposal that Armistice Day be renamed Remembrance Day to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars.
Over time, the day has come to commemorate the service and sacrifice of all Australian men and women who have died in military service over the years. Today, the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.
Significance of the poppy
The red poppy is a widely recognised symbol of Remembrance Day. Inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields, poppies grew over the battlefields of Europe following the First World War and have come to represent remembrance, hope, and respect for those who have died in service.
Who can attend
Remembrance Day commemorations are open to everyone. Services are held across Australia, including at war memorials, schools, workplaces, and community gatherings. Participation may involve attending a service, laying a wreath, or simply pausing wherever you are at 11:00am to observe the minute of silence.
Many people choose to remember a family member, friend, or ancestor who served. Even without a personal connection, the minute of silence provides an opportunity to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy today and the immense sacrifices made to secure them. It is a solemn moment to consider the impact of war on individuals, families, and communities across generations.
Why it matters
Remembrance Day is a time to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of those who served and to ensure that future generations understand the cost of war. By remembering, we honour the past and reinforce a commitment to peace.
Lest we Forget.
