How we’re observing Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day is a day to honor the brave soldiers who have served (and continue to serve) Canada, both in war and at peace. Remembrance Day’s origins date back to the end of the First World War. In honor of those soldiers who fought and died during the war, Canadians observe a one to two-minute silence on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year (11:00am, November 11)—the date and time of the Armistice that ended the war in 1918. 

Each year, Canada hosts a national ceremony at the National War Museum in Ottawa, where Veterans, cadets, and members of both the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police march in honor of other service men and women who have died in service to Canada.

Remembrance Day is also sometimes known as Poppy Day—as many Canadians wear a poppy on Remembrance Day as a way to memorialize fallen soldiers.

How to prepare

We’ll be closed for Remembrance Day on November 11. Make sure to turn on your out-of-office message.

How to take action

If you want to honor the people who have served Canada—past, present, and future—on Remembrance Day, there are a number of ways to get involved, including:

• Donate to a military and/or veterans charity
• Volunteer your time with a military and/or veterans organization
• Attend a memorial service—either locally or at the National War Museum