Armistice Day 2020 quotes and poems: Messages to commemorate Remembrance Day 2020
ARMISTICE DAY, also known as Remembrance Day and 11/11, takes place this Wednesday and will see people across the world commemorate the end of World War I. Express.co.uk has compiled the best quotes, poems and messages for the day.
Coronavirus 'shouldn't stop Remembrance Day' says Kemp
Remembrance Day falls on November 11, commemorating 102 years since the Allies signed the armistice of World War 1 in 1918. Also known as Armistice Day, people have commemorated the occasion every year since by casting their mind back to the people who guided the world through one of its darkest moments. New challenges have arisen in 2020, which will prevent significant public gatherings, but people can celebrate with a vast range of quotes, poems and messages.
Remembrance Day quotes
People can celebrate with famous words from those close to the conflict and the following armistice.
Harold Nicolson, who served as a British delegate to the Paris Peace Conference in 1919 drew together the importance of remembrance in one breath.
He famously said: "How important it is for us to recognise and celebrate our heroes and she-roes."
READ MORE: Remembrance Day: What is another name for Remembrance Day?
A passage from the famed poem For the Fallen by Robert Laurence Binyon also includes a famous quote used to commemorate Remembrance Day every year.
He wrote: "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
"Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning
"We will remember them."
Remembrance Day poems
In Flanders Fields by John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
DON'T MISS
Remembrance Day white poppies: What do white poppies mean? - EXPLAINER
Prince Harry and Meghan hired star photographer for war graves visit - PICTURES
Royal Family LIVE: Queen SHAMED after Prince Harry snubbed by Palace - LIVE BLOG
Armistice by Sophie Jewett
The water sings along our keel,
The wind falls to a whispering breath;
I look into your eyes and feel
No fear of life or death;
So near is love, so far away
The losing strife of yesterday.
We watch the swallow skim and dip;
Some magic bids the world be still;
Life stands with finger upon lip;
Love hath his gentle will;
Though hearts have bled, and tears have burned,
The river floweth unconcerned.
We pray the fickle flag of truce
Still float deceitfully and fair;
Our eyes must love its sweet abuse;
This hour we will not care,
Though just beyond to-morrow's gate,
Arrayed and strong, the battle wait.
Remembrance Day messages
There are no set messages people should send one another on Remembrance Day, as although it is a national occasion, it has a distinct personal focus.
Many people will have family members who have served in a war and passed relatives who played a part in World War 1.
The best messages may be exchanging memories of family members or just speaking about close sacrifices.