Remembrance Day 2026 — How Many Days Until Remembrance Day?

About Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day — observed on 11 November — commemorates the members of the armed forces who died in World War I, World War II, and subsequent conflicts. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the armistice ending World War I came into effect. The day has been observed since 1919, when King George V proclaimed the first Armistice Day.

In Canada, Remembrance Day is a federal statutory holiday. The National Remembrance Day ceremony is held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, attended by the Governor General, the Prime Minister, military officials, and thousands of members of the public. Two minutes of silence are observed at 11:00 AM across the country. Veterans and serving members of the armed forces participate in ceremonies in every city, town, and village.

The red poppy is the symbol of Remembrance. Its association with the fallen soldiers of WWI comes from the poem "In Flanders Fields" — written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in 1915 — which describes poppies growing among the graves of soldiers in Belgium. The poppy is worn throughout November in Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

Remembrance Day marks 11:00 AM on 11 November 1918 — the moment the WWI armistice took effect
Two minutes of silence are observed at 11:00 AM across Canada
The red poppy symbol comes from the Canadian poem "In Flanders Fields" by Lt Col John McCrae (1915)
Remembrance Day is a federal statutory holiday in Canada
Over 100,000 Canadians died in World War I — the highest per-capita casualty rate among major nations

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Remembrance Day in Canada?

Remembrance Day is always on 11 November. It does not move if it falls on a weekend.

Is Remembrance Day a public holiday across all of Canada?

Remembrance Day is a federal statutory holiday. However, it is not a provincial public holiday in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, or Manitoba — though many employers observe it voluntarily.

What is the two-minute silence?

At 11:00 AM on 11 November, Canadians observe two minutes of silence to honour the fallen. The tradition began with the 1919 Armistice Day and is observed across Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

Why do people wear poppies?

The red poppy became a symbol of remembrance after Lt Col John McCrae's 1915 poem "In Flanders Fields," which described poppies growing over soldiers' graves in Belgium. Wearing a poppy in November is a mark of respect for the fallen.