Each year, Remembrance Day events take place across the UK in November to honour those who have lost their lives at war.
The nation falls silent every Remembrance Sunday at 11am in tribute, and millions of red poppies are sold each year in the build-up to the day.
This year, the Royal British Legion has also redesigned the poppy badge, opting for a plastic-free remembrance symbol crafted from renewable materials.
Launching its annual Poppy Appeal, the fundraising efforts from each plastic-free poppy sale will go toward supporting a number of Armed Forces communities.
But when is Remembrance Day 2023, what is the history of the day, and what events are taking place? Here is everything that you need to know.
When is Remembrance Day 2023 and what is its significance?
Remembrance Day will take place on Saturday, November 11. The event commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the armistice in 1918, between the Allies and Germany, marking the end of the First World War.
It is a national day of memorial to remember and honour servicemen and women who lost their lives in the First World War.
The armistice to end the First World War was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, which is why the UK holds two minutes' silence at 11am every November 11.
It was signed in Compiegne, in Northern France, and forced Germans to evacuate invaded countries within two weeks.
The first Armistice Day was observed on November 11, 1919, to mark the first anniversary of the end of the First World War, and Remembrance Sunday is commemorated on the nearest Sunday.
After the outbreak of the Second World War, many countries changed the name of Armistice Day, with some members of the Commonwealth choosing to call it Remembrance Day. In the UK, it is now known as both.
A National Service of Remembrance, which is attended by members of the Royal Family, the Government, and representatives from the armed forces, is held at 11 am, at the Cenotaph, in Whitehall.
The Royal Marine Buglers signal the start of the silence by playing The Last Post and The Rouse, and it is ended by a gun salute by the Royal Horse Artillery.
Why do people wear poppies on Remembrance Day?
Poppies are the flowers that grew on the battlefields after the First World War. Now symbolic of Remembrance Day, they are sold and worn to help raise money for servicemen and women whose lives have been affected by war.
The origins of the poppy for remembrance date back to the war poem, In Flanders Fields, which was written by Canadian officer John McCrae in 1915. It reads: “In Flanders fields, the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row.”
The red poppy is seen as a symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.
You will notice many members of the public wearing red and white poppies in the lead-up to Remembrance Day, with white symbolising peace.
The poppy appeal is run by the Royal British Legion each year. This year, the 2023 poppy is plastic-free and made entirely of paper.
The organisation has been developing a plastic-free poppy for almost three years, in an effort to completely eliminate single-use plastic.
What Remembrance Day events are happening in 2023?
This year’s Remembrance Day Parade at the Cenotaph will take place on Sunday, November 12.
A number of organisations from the Gurkha Brigade to the Royal Air Force will march past the Cenotaph on the day.
You can find out about Remembrance Day events in your area on the British Legion website.
Starting at 11am, the service will commemorate British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women involved in the two world wars and later conflicts.
This year, for the first time, applications were also open to veterans who are not members of an association to join the Cenotaph parade. However, applications are now closed and places are fully booked.
How to wear poppies
As a mark of respect, the poppy should be positioned next to the heart on the left breast. It's usually attached with a single pin through its stem.
As well as this year's plastic-free poppy, people can also buy metal brooches and lapel pins if they want something a little more permanent.
The poppy logo has also evolved throughout the years. The centre of the lapel poppy was originally black before it was changed to green in 1980 but, in 2002, Designers opted to return to a black centre to reflect the colours of the poppies in Flanders.
