REMEMBRANCE DAY

11/01/2020, 11:00 AM - 11/11/2023, 11:59 PM

In 1997, Governor-General Sir William Deane issued a proclamation formally declaring 11 November to be Remembrance Day, urging all Australians to observe one minute silence at 11.00am on 11 November each year, to remember those who died or suffered for Australia’s cause in all wars and armed conflicts.

What is the origin of Remembrance Day? 11 November is universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the First World War. This conflict had mobilised over 70 million people and left between nine and 13 million dead and as many as one third of these with no grave.

At 11.00am on 11 November 1918, the guns on the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare. The allied armies had driven the German invaders back, having inflicted heavy defeats upon them over the preceding four months. In November, the Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted the allied terms of unconditional surrender.

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month attained a special significance in the post-war years and became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war.

The allied nations chose this day and time for the commemoration of their war dead. Originally, it was known as Armistice Day. After World War Two, the Australian Government agreed to the United Kingdom’s proposal that Armistice Day be re-named Remembrance Day to commemorate those who were killed in both World Wars.

Today the loss of Australian lives from all wars and conflicts is commemorated on Remembrance Day.

We also pause to remember all of the men and women of the Australian Defence Force who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

We will remember them.  LEST WE FORGET.