Remembrance Day (in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom) is a day to remember people who fought and died in the World Wars. Today, November 11th is the day chosen in these countries to remember the end of World War I on November 11th in 1918. Remembrance Day was started in 1919 by King George V from the United Kingdom. As a demonstration of respect, many people in Canada wear a fake poppy during the month of November and on Remembrance Day. The poppy is a symbol to show that these individuals remember the wars, and the soldiers who fought in them. Poppies were chosen to be a symbol because they often grew in battlefields after the soldiers stopped fighting there.
So far in the Netherlands I have not celebrated the typical Canadian holidays such as Thanksgiving (although I was treated to dinner by Cananon - see earlier blog), Hallowe'en and now, Remembrance Day. I just wanted to write a small note on Remembrance Day to mark the fact that I am remembering all Canadian soldiers while here in the Netherlands - one of the most important to me being my grandfather - L.C.E. Long.
In relation to research, this day has also peaked my interest. As I've mentioned in my earlier blogs, QueenB is currently researching the longevity of memory and history in Poland (at least that is one part of it and one way to look at her project). Although I have not specifically focussed on the act of remembering in my research, the history and one's memory of the neighbourhood influences how individuals and groups perceive the neighbourhood and their role within it. For example, many of the renovations occurring in my neighbourhood right now feature holding onto historical buildings and architectural features of the area, so as to preserve the past. Thus if nothing else, this day served as a reminder of the importance of the past as it is used as a tool of the present.
The Netherlands were neutral in WW1, but not in WW2. So we have our remembrance day on May 4th, for all victims of war including the fighters. On May 5th we celebrate Liberation Day and in Amsterdam I have often welcomed Canadian veterans on that day.
ReplyDeleteYou're absolutely right Marbels. But that is also interesting, in what respect are you able to welcome the Canadian veterans? I know the planning for the celebration here on my plein has already started. They're trying to figure out if they can put my Canadianness to any use :). But, yes, I was told by my neighbours here that Remembrance Day is celebrated in May and it's a good point!
ReplyDeleteI assume you know that the Netherlands were mainly liberated by the Canadians (with help of the other allies of course).
ReplyDeletehttp://books.google.nl/books?id=yjVaApRR1g0C&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_navlinks_s#v=onepage&q=&f=false
I grew up in Amsterdam and we regularly celebrated Liberation Day with the Canadian veterans. Last one was in 2005: http://www.godutch.com/newspaper/index.php?id=755