Arcadia England

Have you been wandering the streets of London, or other areas of the United Kingdom, and noticed an abundance of poppies on stranger’s lapels? Well there is a reason for that! On November 11th the United Kingdom will be acknowledging Remembrance Day. This is a holiday dedicated to those that lost their lives in World War I. The poppy symbol got its start from a poem called “In Flanders Fields” written by John McCrae, because poppies were often the first flowers to grow on a new grave.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky 
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.   Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Today, poppy pins are sold by the Royal British Legion, which is a charity that provides financial and emotional support to those who have served or are currently serving in the British Armed Forces. These pins used to only be worn on Remembrance Day, but now they can be spotted from Mid-October until Mid-November. Anyone from the general public to the Royal Family sport a red poppy during this time of year.

To feel more united with the country you’re currently residing in, feel free to donate some money to charity, wear a poppy pin, and don’t forget to take 2 minutes of silence on 11 November at 11am!