Remembrance Day or Poppy Day

The second Sunday of November is Remembrance Sunday, but what does it mean? 

At 11am men, women and children all across Britain hold a two minute silence to remember the millions who have died in war. On a day like today the Queen  and the Royal Family, along with top politicians and religious leaders, gather at The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, for a service.

Wreaths are laid beside war memorials by companies, clubs and societies. People also leave small wooden crosses by the memorials in remembrance of a family member who died in war.

Last year, there was a special exhibition of poppies, which became a sensation all over the world. Here you can see three pictures a friend  sent us. It's held at the Tower of London. For more info and amazing pictures click here and here.

Remembrance Day is on 11 November. It is a special day set aside to remember all those men and women who were killed during the two World Wars and other conflicts. At one time the day was known as Armistice Day and was renamed Remembrance Day after the Second World War.

People wear poppies because they are the flowers which grew on the battlefields after World War I ended. Poppies are also used to raise money for servicemen and women who are still alive but whose lives have been changed by war. The charity that runs the Poppy Appeal is called The Royal British Legion. Each year, volunteers sell these poppies in the streets all over Britain.