Remembrance Day Australia 2023: Date, History, Facts About Remembrance Day in Australia

Remembrance Day Australia 2023: Australia, similar to numerous other nations, observes Remembrance Day on November 11. This day honours Australian servicemen who were killed during and after World War I. The citizens observe a minute of silence in remembrance of those who lost their lives fighting while defending the nation, as an expression of national unity. The United Kingdom’s proposal to change the name of Armistice Day to Remembrance Day received support from the Australian government. There is no public holiday in effect.

Remembrance Day Australia 2023: History

After four years of continuous fighting, the Western Front conflict ceased and fell into complete silence on November 11, 1918. The final enemy of the Allies, Germany, affixed its signature to the armistice that officially concluded World War I.

The victory of the Allies would have been unattainable without the frontline performance of the five divisions of the Australian Corps. The Australian troops demonstrated exceptional bravery through their triumphant performance at the Battle of Hamel during the summer of 1918, which altered the course of events at Amiens, the capture of Mont Saint-Quentin and Pèronne, and the breach of German defenses along the Hindenburg Line. As the weary soldiers commenced their withdrawal in early October, they had solidified their standing as a formidable force. However, their sweet prosperity was not without its steep price. In 1918, nearly 48,000 Australian casualties, including 12,000 fatalities, were reported.

During the four years of the Great War, an Australian military force exceeding 330,000 men was mobilized, of which 60,000 perished. The repercussions of the loss continue to haunt the social realm, even in the afterlife.

The first commemoration of Remembrance Day was organized by the British Commonwealth in 1919. Originally designated Armistice Day, the occasion arose to honor the armistice agreement that Germany had formally signed on Monday, November 11, 1918, which occurred at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Prior to 1930, Armistice Day was commemorated on the Monday of the week following November 11. In 1931, Alan Neill, a Member of Parliament representing Comox—Alberni, introduced a bill proposing the annual observance of the day on November 11. The measure additionally suggested a name change to Remembrance Day, which was ratified, resulting in November 11, 1931 being observed as the inaugural Remembrance Day.

Facts About Remembrance Day in Australia

The red poplar

The initial plant to emerge in the blood-soaked battlefields was the Flanders poppy.

A single rosemary twig

Rosemary holds unparalleled significance for Australians compared to any other plant, as it thrives on the Gallipoli peninsula, serving as a memorial to the Anzac troops that perished in that combat.

Half of a flag’s mast

When hoisting the Australian flag at half-mast, there are several laws to follow, including the prohibition of nighttime flying and the requirement that Australia’s flag be raised first and lowered last in a cluster of flags.

Unidentified Soldier

On Remembrance Day 1993, Australia laid to rest an Unknown Soldier at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

Numerous untold tales

Many of the more than 60,000 Australians who perished in battle have no known graves.

Remembrance Day Australia 2023: Date

Year	Date	Day
2023	November 11	Saturday
2024	November 11	Monday
2025	November 11	Tuesday
2026	November 11	Wednesday
2027	November 11	Thursday