Remembrance Day

Today (November 11th - official end of First World War) is Remembrance Day, which is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries to remember the sacrifices from the times of war, specifically since the World War I. In Alberta, today is considered an official holiday and schools and some services don’t open.

Todo o dia 11 de novembro os países que fazem parte do Commonwealth lembram os sacrifícios dos tempos de guerra, especialmente da Primeira Guerra Mundial, através de uma data especial: Remembrance Day. O dia é considerado feriado na maioria das províncias canadenses. Aqui em Alberta as escolas e serviços públicos não funcionam.

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year people stop their activities for two minutes of silence in memory of men and families who sacrificed their lives in military service. Some other activities as presentations in schools and other cerimonies are done to honour the soldiers and their families.

Às 11 horas, do dia 11 do décimo primeiro mês de cada ano, as pessoas param suas atividades para dois minutos de silêncio em  homenagem às famílias e soldados que se sacrificaram e se sacrificam na guerra. Além dessa, algumas outras homenagens são feitas, como apresentações nas escolas e cerimônias especiais.

To raise money to support those in need of help as a result of war you can buy a poppy pin. Everyone has been wearing a poppy attached with a pin in their clothes since the beggining of the week.

Nesta época se encontra em toda a parte broches de flor de papoula  à venda com o objetivo de arrecadar dinheiro para ajudar essas famílias da guerra. Também se vê quase todo mundo

usando esses broches em suas roupa. É interessante!

The poppy is the official symbol of Remembrance Day in Canada and some other countries. The emblem was chosen because of a poem written by a Canadian soldier (John McCrae) who had noticed these delicate and vibrant red flowers growing on some First World War battlefields.

A flor de papoula é o símbolo oficial do Remembrance Day aqui no Canadá e em alguns outros países. A escolha aconteceu inspirada no poema do soldado canadense John McCrae que, durante uma guerra, notou no meio dos destroços, um lindo campo de papoulas, e que descreveu em um poema.

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.
picture and poem from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Flanders_Fields

from: http://www.greatwar.co.uk/article/remembrance-poppy.htm

Yesterday at Alice’s school there was a special Assembly to remember the date. The students made some presentations and Alice and her classmates sang I'd like to teach the world to sing song.

Ontem, na escola da Alice teve um Assembly especial pela data. Os alunos fizeram diferentes apresentações e a turma da Alice cantou uma música: I'd like to teach the world to sing . Clique na figura abaixo para assistir a apresentação. A Alice está na fila da frente de vestido xadrez.

I'd like to teach the world to sing

(R. Cook/R. Greenway/B. Backer/B. Davis)

I'd like to build the world a home

And furnish it with love

Grow apple trees and honey bees

And snow-white turtle doves

I'd like to teach the world to sing

In perfect harmony

I'd like to hold it in my arms

And keep it company

I'd like to see the world for once

All standing hand in hand

And hear them echo through the hills

For peace throughout the land

I'd like to teach the world to sing

In perfect harmony

A song of peace that echoes on

And never goes away

I'd like to see the world for once

All standing hand in hand

And hear them echo through the hills

For peace throughout the land

Put your hand in my hand

Let's begin today

Put your hand in my hand

Help me find a way

To read more about the date: 

Remembrance Day: Lest we forget - CBC news: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/07/f-remembrance-day.html#ixzz14tJMBWIT

Remembrance Day - Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day

The Story Behind the Remembrance Poppy: http://www.greatwar.co.uk/article/remembrance-poppy.htm

Poppy kisses,
Marina