Every year on 11 November, people in the UK pause to remember the fallen. We hear two phrases—Armistice Day and Remembrance Day—used almost interchangeably. Are they the same? Not quite. Here’s a quick, respectful explainer for 2025.
Quick answer
Armistice Day marks the moment the First World War armistice came into effect—11 November 1918 at 11:00 (“the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”). Remembrance Day is the broader UK observance of remembrance for those who died in all conflicts. They overlap on the date, but the origin and scope differ.
Armistice Day vs Remembrance Day (at a glance)
| Aspect | Armistice Day | Remembrance Day |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 11 November (fixed) | 11 November in many places; in the UK, the main national ceremony is on Remembrance Sunday (the Sunday closest to 11 Nov) |
| Origin | Marks the 1918 Armistice ending WWI hostilities on the Western Front | Evolved to honour all who died in service, across conflicts |
| Focus | Silence at 11:00 on 11 Nov; WWI origin | National acts of remembrance, ceremonies, two-minute silence; broader scope |
| UK practice | Two-minute silence at 11:00 on 11 Nov (workplaces, schools, stations) | Major national ceremony at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday; local parades and services across the UK |
| Symbols | Poppies, “eleventh hour” | Poppies, Cenotaph wreaths, Last Post, Kohima Epitaph |
| Related days abroad | 11 Nov commemorations in France/Belgium (“Armistice”), many Commonwealth nations | US observes Veterans Day on 11 Nov (honours living veterans, not the war dead) |
How the two terms developed
- 1918: Armistice signed; silence held on 11 Nov the following year.
- 1921: First official Remembrance events and the poppy appeal began in Britain and the Commonwealth.
- After 1945: Remembrance broadened to include all conflicts and those who served.
- Today: The UK keeps the silence at 11:00 on 11 Nov and holds national ceremonies on Remembrance Sunday.
How the UK observes 11 November and Remembrance Sunday
- Two-minute silence at 11:00 on 11 November (Armistice Day).
- Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall; services across towns and villages.
- Poppy worn as a symbol of remembrance and hope (Royal British Legion).
- Acts of service: donate, attend a local service, share a remembrance message respectfully.
Common questions
Is Armistice Day the same as Remembrance Day?
They coincide on 11 November but are not identical. Armistice Day points to the WWI armistice; Remembrance Day is the wider act of remembrance for all who died in service, with the UK’s main ceremony on Remembrance Sunday.
Why do we wear a poppy?
The poppy became a symbol of remembrance after WWI, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields.” In the UK, poppies also support the Royal British Legion’s work with the Armed Forces community.
Is Remembrance Day a public holiday in the UK?
No. Ceremonies are widely observed, and many organisations mark the two-minute silence; the day itself is not a bank holiday.
Authoritative sources
- Royal British Legion – Remembrance
- Imperial War Museums – Why we remember
- UK Government – Remembrance Sunday (updates)
- UK Parliament – History of Remembrance
Note: The US observes Veterans Day on 11 November to honour all who have served; Memorial Day (May) honours those who died in service.
