Remembrance Day | Remembrance Day traditions | Symbols | Remembrance Day ceremonies | Links
Teacher resource materials | Online guide to lesson plans and activities | Suggested reading

*Typical uniform of the Australian Infantryman of the 46th Battalion. Drawing by Mike Chappell Remembrance Day On the 11th Day of the 11th Month (November) is the day when Australians take time to remember the men and women who fought and died in wars. Originally called Armistice Day the day when the first World War ended after four years of fighting. Close to 62,000 Australians, men and women lost their lives during the first world war. Together with the United Kingdom, the government of Australia decided to rename Armistice Day, Remembrance Day after the end of the second World War. New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom and Australia all commemorate Remembrance Day. Remembrance Day traditions The suggestion to show a mark of respect for our fallen soldiers, was first put forward in London on May 8 1919, by a Melbourne journalist Edward Honey in a newspaper article in the London Evening news. King George V proclaimed on the 7th November, 1919 that a two minute silence would be observed. So on the 11th of November at 11p.m. 1919 Australia observed a two minute silence for the first time. Symbols The Poppy Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps who in May 1915 when after watching the death of a close friend in Belgium wrote the following poem: In Flanders Field In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. Sadly, McCrae died 28 January 1918 and so did not see the end of the war. His poem was printed on December 8th, 1915 in an issue of Punch and soon became the unofficial anthem of the soldiers in the trenches where it was memorised and passed on by word of mouth. It was in 1918 when an American woman Moira Michael wrote a poem in response to In Flanders Field, titled "We shall keep the faith". In her poem she promised to wear a poppy to honour the dead, this was where the tradition to wear a poppy on Remembrance Day was first begun, a tradition that is still in existence today. Rosemary The Ancient Greeks believed that Rosemary was a plant that made memories stronger, so Rosemary is worn on Remembrance Day as a symbol to make our memories of our fallen soldiers stronger. Remembrance Day ceremonies Remembrance Day ceremonies are held throughout Australia on the 11th of November every year. All ceremonies have an order in which they are carried out. The Flag: Traditionally all Australian flags should be at half mast until the playing of the "Rouse" when it should be slowly raised. The Introduction: A brief introduction is normally given by either the Governor, Mayor or residing dignitary to people attending the commemoration ceremony. Hymns or songs: Depending on the type of ceremony being held, hymns and even music are then recited or played. Prayers: Prayers play a major part in commerative ceremonies and The Lords Prayer and the Prayer of Remembrance are always recited on this day. Poems: Poetry is also recited during these ceremonies, normally In Flanders field together with "For the fallen" written by Laurence Binyon are recited. Students are often asked to recite poetry that they themselves have written. The address: Sometimes veterans of wars are asked to address people in attendance. Wreath laying: Wreaths are lain in a place of honour to commemorate those that have died. The Ode: "The Ode" a verse from the poem For the fallen, is recited and has been included in Australian Remembrance ceremonies since 1921. The Last Post: Traditionally the Last Post is played throughout military bases to signify the ending of the day. For many years the Last Post has been played at Remembrance Day services, to commemorate the fallen soldier's. Silence: A one or two minute silence is then held at 11 a.m. as a mark of respect for the dead. Rouse: Traditionally the "Rouse" is played to signify a new day, it is played at the end of the Silence to signify a new beginning and this is when the flag is raised to the masthead. The National Anthem: The Australian National Anthem is played to conclude the end of the Remembrance Day ceremony. To listen to the Last Post click on the audio button To listen to the Rouse click on the audio button Links For more information on Remembrance Day visit these sites: Department of Veteran Affairs The Department of Veterans website Commemorations section contains loads of Remembrance Day information; Educational resources, news, FAQs and links to related sites. Elementary Themes - Remembrance Day 2003 Remembrance Day Remembrance Day - The day we remember Australians who gave their lives in war Veterans Day (Cananda) Coloring Pages Remembrance Day Coloring Pages Remembrance Day Craft Activities Remembrance Day Traditions Remembrance Day: Why the Poppy? Remembrance Day Part of the Cultural and Recreation Portal website, explaining the meaning of Remembrance Day, and the traditions related to the ceremonies. Also provided are links to related resources. Remembrance Day tradition Remembrance Day Remembrance Day - Provides the words to the songs and poems associated with Remembrance Day. Includes: In Flanders field; Poppy is for Sacrifice This page from Anzacday.org explains the use of the poppy on Remembrance Day and the origins of the custom. Primary School Activities The following education materials are designed to guide teachers of students from pre-school to upper primary years. While they are based on learning outcomes associated with the National Curriculum Statement for SOSE, teachers in various states should readily be able to select tasks at an appropriate level for their students by comparing the level with their own state outcomes. This Department of Veteran's Affairs site outlines some suggested activities for students and teachers related to Anzac day, peacekeeping, commemorative ceremonies, and Remembrance Day. Kids HQ This site from the Australian War Memorial has young person centred approach to Australia's military history and military involvement. Site visitors can explore Great Stories, Animals in War, Technology, Home Front and My Job. There are special buttons for Glossary, Timelines and Commemoration. The site uses a games approach in many places and it will track a visitor's progress if they have registered. There are various teaching aids designed for classroom use. Remembrance Day (November 11) This whole-school assembly encourages pupils to learn about Remembrance Day and the symbolism associated with it. Remembrance Day (November 11) A 5 page pdf of Spelling lists; acrostics and more for Remembrance Day. In Flander's Fields Teacher resource materials Since 2001 all Australian schools have been provided with educational materials relating to Anzac and Remembrance Day. The following titles are available and may be of assistance for Remembrance Day activities. The following materials are all available from the library. Working the Web: Investigating Australia's wartime history. - Designed to assist both teacher's and students of Australia's wartime history via several Australian websites including: Department of Veterans Affairs, Australian War Memorial; Australians at War - Time to Remember: Understanding Australia's experiences of War and Peacekeeping - Designed for lower to middle primary students. Contains 16 pictures and teacher guide. Australians at War: Primary schools education resources - This kit is designed to be used in conjunction with the "Australians ar War" television series. Containing a video, teacher resource book and classroom materials. Defence of Australia - This kit focuses on 1942. Containing a video, poster and activity sheets. We remember - Supporting education resources available for downloading from the Dept. of Veterans' Affairs website. The Shrine of Remembrance : education kit Online guide to lesson plans and activities Sadako and the thousand paper cranes. This pages contains a lesson plans for grades 5-6 based on the novel. Sadako and the thousand paper cranes. This pages contains a printable crossword puzzle from abcteach.com. What was the war like, Grandma? : Emmy remembers World War II. This page contains a literature activity covering the following areas: Themes: Our History / Stories. Year Levels: Early Years (P - 4). KLAs: English Strands: Speaking and Listening, Reading, Writing Hitler's daughter. A 17 page pdf file. Harry and the Anzac poppy. This page contains a literature activity covering the folowing areas: Themes: Personal Experience. Year Levels: Middle Years 5 - 9. CSF II levels 4 - 6. KLAs: English, SOSE. Strands: Speaking & Listening, Writing, Reading, History. The Poppy : Make your own Symbol. This page contains a literature activity covering the folowing areas: Themes: Symbols and Memories. Year Levels: Early Years 1 - 3. CSF II levels 1 & 2. KLAs: English,The Arts. Strands: Speaking & Listening, Writing, Visual Arts. Simpson and his donkey. This page contains a literature activity covering the folowing areas: Themes: Literature Activity: Simpson and his donkey. Year Levels: Early Years (P - 4). KLAs: English Strands: Speaking and Listening, Reading, Writing. Suggested reading Teacher reference Simpson and his donkey - Martinek, Mary-Ann Sandy the waler : an ANZAC Day story - Oaten, Mary-Ann *Non fiction A Turkish view of Gallipoli : Canakkale - Fewster, Kevin; Basarin, Vecihi; Basarin, Hatice Hurmuz The Gallipoli story - Carlyon, Patrick. The first world war - Healey, Tim World war one - Hoare, Robert J World war 1 - Dugan, Michael Poppy Day - Moore, Rosemary The ANZAC spirit : Australian soldiers at war since 1915 - Andrews, Michael Australia in World War II. Behind the secret window: a memoir of a hidden childhood during World War Two - Toll, Nelly S Weary Dunlop : doctor, diplomat and saviour - Higgins, Denise Battle of the Atlantic - Skipper, G.C Korean War - Dugan, Michael Vietnam War - Dugan, Michael World War II - Barwick, John; Barwick, Jennifer Fiction Sadako and the thousand paper cranes - Coerr, Eleanor Memorial - Crew, Gary. The bombing of Darwin : the diary of Tom Taylor, 1942 - Tucker, Alan. Harry and the Anzac poppy - Lockyer, John The bantam and the soldier - Beck, Jennifer; Belton, Robyn A place of safety - Lisson, Deborah Carrie's war - Bawden, Nina In Flanders fields - Jorgensen, Norman; Harrison-Lever, Brian. Hitler's daughter - French, Jackie Picture story What was the war like, Grandma? : Emmy remembers World War II - Tonkin, Rachel The staircase cat - Thompson, Colin; Pignataro, Anna. *Teacher's notes providing ideas for lesson plans and activities are also available.