Remembrance Day is celebrated in Oxford

Today in Oxford (as well as all over Great Britain) Remembrance Day is celebrated. It serves to perpetuate memory about all the soldiers of the British Commonwealth who died in conflicts in which Britain was engaged. It is celebrated since 1919 (The decree by King George V).

On the 11th of November, 1918 cessation of hostilities in Europe between the countries of the Entente and the Triple Alliance was announced "at 11 o'clock of the 11th day of the 11th month" that went down in history as the first Armistice of Compiègne, signed by the representatives of Germany and the Entente.

The symbol of the holiday is red poppy. Initially real poppies, which grew up in Flanders on the battlefields of the First World War, were worn. There is a tradition in the Great Britain of wearing buttonholes in the form of red poppies on the lapel of the jacket or other outwear. This is a token of respect to the fallen in the First World War and other wars of the 20th century. Money earned from the sale of these flowers is sent to the Royal British Legion, to help veterans of various wars and members of their families.

On the 11th of November directly in memory of dead citizens spend two minutes in silence: this tradition, existed previously, was finally confirmed in the 90s.  All the main events in the Great Britain are spent on the Sunday, which is the nearest to the 11th of November. Parade and wreath-laying ceremony in memory of the fallen will be held on the 13th of November in Oxford.

Oxford City Council traditionally invites delegations of sister cities to take part in official events dedicated to Remembrance Day. This year within a framework of reception of foreign delegations Oxford City Council will also hold important seminar on the topic: "What does Brexit mean for town twinning?".