In Canada, the national day of military remembrance is known as Remembrance Day, not Veterans Day, and it is observed annually on November 11. This day commemorates the armistice that officially ended hostilities in the First World War on November 11, 1918, and honors the members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
The date and time of the observance hold historical significance, marking the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" when the armistice took effect. A defining tradition of Remembrance Day is a moment of silence observed at 11:00 a.m. While both Canadian Remembrance Day and American Veterans Day fall on the same date, their focus differs. Remembrance Day, observed throughout the Commonwealth, maintains a more solemn tone centered on remembering the fallen, symbolized by the wearing of the poppy. In contrast, the American observance honors the service of all military veterans, both living and deceased.
Remembrance Day is a federal statutory holiday in Canada. However, its status as a public holiday with a day off from work is determined at the provincial and territorial levels. For most, but not all, of the country, it is a statutory holiday. The critical distinction for anyone inquiring about this date is the use of the official name, "Remembrance Day," which reflects its specific cultural and historical context within Canada.
