11/11 at 11:00

[Darth Rock&Roll]

Give 2 minutes of your time to reflect on why your life is good, why your family is prosperous, why you live in a free land.
It's not much to ask only once a year.

peace

[Interloper]

I'm too busy reflecting on it being Veterans Day here in the States, and that so many men and women gave their lives or sacrificed other precious things in order to protect and serve our country.

[affa]

absolutely by no means do i intend to set a flippant tone, but...

[Michael]

Why not 11/11 at 11:11? Canadians just don't get repetition.

[Darth Rock&Roll]

Canada chose 11/11 at 11:00 am because that is when armistice was signed following the Great War.

Every year, we honour our veterans with remembrance day and we give 2 minutes of reflective silence to honour those who served, who are serving now and who have fallen in service.

I appreciate your jocularity about Canadian traditions, I guess maybe I should've titled it "for my fellow canadians" No offense intended, you simply didn't know I guess.

peace

[Interloper]

I knew what you were saying Darth. That's why I pointed out that it's Veterans Day in the U.S. of A.

[Harvey]

It's not only the canadians, us brits have it too. And coming from a area that has dealt with conflict with losses to military, police and civilian lives it is all the more important to remember it. Two minutes of your day is so little to ask.

[Ian]

I know this is commonwealth of me, but we observe armistice day.

so unless you're a freedom hating eurosocialist (or a canadian), get your own bleedin day of remembrance!

might I suggest an august 6th hiroshima/nagasaki day for americans?

[Darth Rock&Roll]

Ian

After World War II, the name of the holiday was changed to Veterans Day in the United States and to Remembrance Day in the British Commonwealth of Nations. It is a national holiday in France and Belgium that is still known as Armistice day.

the name was changed because people for teh most part understand veterans day and remembrance day, but "armistice" is almost a lost word. There has to be cultural context for these things, especially now as we grow further and further away and the young folks who are thankfully untouched by war on many levels.

It is doubly important in these times that we do not trivialize this day, or the wars that are occurring now.

We are talking about real people who did selfless things in a big way.

I remember them and thank them and welcome everyone else to do so.

[Craig]

never forget. i tilt my hats to all war veterans.

-Craig - works at Veterans' Affairs Australia.

[Ian]

Ian

After World War II, the name of the holiday was changed to Veterans Day in the United States and to Remembrance Day in the British Commonwealth of Nations. It is a national holiday in France and Belgium that is still known as Armistice day.

the name was changed because people for teh most part understand veterans day and remembrance day, but "armistice" is almost a lost word. There has to be cultural context for these things, especially now as we grow further and further away and the young folks who are thankfully untouched by war on many levels.

It is doubly important in these times that we do not trivialize this day, or the wars that are occurring now.

We are talking about real people who did selfless things in a big way.

I remember them and thank them and welcome everyone else to do so.

some places still call it armistice day to differentiate it from remembrance sunday.

as far as I understand, armistice day (or remembrance day if you call it that) is the anniversary of the end of WW1.

remembrance sunday is for all war vets.

sure, the meaning of holidays are never set in stone, but I've always found it weird that americans adopted armistice day (of all days), considering WW1 had nothing to do with them.

[Father_Jon]

Ian: The Great War shattered the progressive ideology that marked the American expansionist era. Our citizens fought and died in a conflict that was meant to secure peace. Why not join all of the other aggrieved parties in a day of remembrance?

[Michael]

That's right Darth, I didn't know the significance of the time of day.

[bailewen]

huh?

In China Nov 11 is "lonely hearts day" or "bachelor day" or something like that. They call it "guang gun jie" (a single stick all alone day) but it doesn't translate well. It's like that Amy Mann song, "One.....is the loneliest number that I ever heard.. . ."

[Harvey]

sure, the meaning of holidays are never set in stone, but I've always found it weird that americans adopted armistice day (of all days), considering WW1 had nothing to do with them.

Whilst America the nation remained neutral until April of 1917, well after all the real bloodshed of the tranch war had taken most of the lives. They became involved because of shipping losses due to early u-boats, the Lusitania being the most famous. Although there were many Americans who joined up thru the Canadian forces well before Wilson grew a pair and decided to get involved in the fight