At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians pause for a two-minute silence to honour those who served and sacrificed. Ceremonies at the National War Memorial in Ottawa and at local cenotaphs from coast to coast echo with bagpipes, bugles sounding “The Last Post,” and the laying of poppy wreaths.
National Ceremonies & Local Services
- Ottawa's National War Memorial: The Governor General, Prime Minister and military leaders lay wreaths as a Mounted Police escort and RCMP band perform.
- Provincial cenotaphs: In towns large and small, veterans' groups, civic officials and Scouts gather to lay poppies and observe the silence.
- School gatherings: Chapters of “In Flanders Fields” are read by students and buglers play the Last Post over loudspeakers.
Symbols of Remembrance
- Red poppy: Worn on lapels, it symbolizes the blood shed on battlefields and supports veterans through the Royal Canadian Legion's Poppy Campaign.
- The Last Post: This bugle call marks the end of the day's activities and signals the start of the two-minute silence.
- Wreath-laying: Ceremonial wreaths of poppies and maple leaves are placed at memorials by dignitaries and families of veterans.
Community & Educational Activities
- Legion events: The Royal Canadian Legion hosts luncheons, memorial dinners and veteran storytelling sessions.
- Historical exhibits: Museums and archives open special displays of uniforms, letters and war artifacts.
- Digital tributes: Virtual ceremonies and online memory walls allow Canadians everywhere to leave messages of thanks.
How to Participate
- Wear a poppy from late October through Remembrance Week—donations support veteran services.
- Attend your local cenotaph ceremony or watch the national broadcast on November 11 at 10:58 am ET.
- Observe the two-minute silence—stop, stand still and reflect at the 11th hour.
- Share stories of family members who served to keep personal memories alive for future generations.