On 11 November it is celebrated the Armistice Day, also known as Remembrance Day and Poppy Day. This date is related to the end of the First World War, when the Armistice was signed between the Allied and German armies, on 11th November 1918. Millions of people were killed and millions more were injured in conflict. In war victims’ memory, many British citizens and from other nationalities stay in silent for two minutes. The homage is known as Two Minute Silence and happens at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year.  

A common flower of the Northern Hemisphere, poppies are of great significance to Remembrance Day. On the worst battlefields in Flanders, during the First World War, the poppies were the only flower that grew easily forming bright red fields, which reddish characteristic colour reminded soldier’s blood. The delicate flowers inspired the Canadian military physician and poet John McCrae to write the poem about the war In Flanders Field. The poppies became a very good symbol for soldier’s remembrance. Weeks before November 11th, people from all over the world wear artificial poppies on the left lapel, as close to the heart as possible, to homage those who fought on the war.      

In the UK, the Royal British Legion is the leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support to million who have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces and their dependants. Today, with troops on duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and other trouble spots around the world, the Remembrance Day and the Two Minute Silence tribute are as important as ever. In Afghanistan alone 222 British Servicemen and women have lost their lives since operations began.

Besides the tributes paid to the military forces, the Royal British Legion use money raised on Poppy Day to help thousands of former soldiers and their families, including Brazil. There are two branches of the BRL in the country, one in São Paulo and other in Rio de Janeiro.