History
The poppy was first written about during the Napoleonic war in the early 19th century. It was noted that prior to the wars these fields were a wasteland with nothing growing there. Once the fighting ended, the fields began to bloom and poppies could be seen everywhere. The poppies grew thick over the graves of soldiers in the area of Flanders, France. The poppy which is deep red in colouring was often though of as blood-red due to the fact that it appeared to flourish only after the fighting and blood shed.
It was during the First World War that Lieut-Col.John McCrae, made the same association with the poppy that had been previously noted. This scene with the poppies is what inspired him to write the poem "In Flanders Field" which since that time has been connected with Remembrance Day or Veterans Day as it is known in some countries.
Wearing poppies on Remembrance Day was started by Moina Michael who was the first to start wearing a poppy on that day. Moina was an American War Secretary with the YMCA in New York City. Reading the poem written by McCrae touched her so much she started wearing the poppy in memory of the millions who lost their lives on the battlefield. Miss Michael bought red poppies whith money given to her by work colleagues and preceded to sell poppies to her friends and others to raise money for servicemen in need. Madame Guerin, learned of this tradition while visiting the United States in 1920 and brought the idea back to France with her. She decided to make handmade poppies to raise money for the impoverished children in war-torn areas of the country.
The first poppies were distributed in Canada in November 1921. It was officially adopted by the Great War Veterans Association in 1921 at the suggestion of Mrs. E. Guerin, a French citizen. The impact of the John McCrae's poem greatly aided their decision in adopting the poppy.
"In Flanders Fields" touched the hearts of many and spoke of the innermost thoughts of all soldiers who heard them. Many thought of John McCrae as their voice, he was telling all what was in their thoughts by the poem he had written. The poem inspired and touched so many people that the American Legion adopted the poppy as the symbol of Remembrance Day.
Every year over 13 million Canadians wear poppies
on their jackets, dresses, coats or other attire to wear on Remembrance
Day. The poppy is the symbol that individuals and organisations use in
remembrance of those who died in battle or during peacekeeping operations.
On Remembrance Day, wreaths filled with poppies are placed at the foot
of memorials across our country during special ceremonies honouring the
men who fought during the wars.
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