Have you bought a poppy yet? (Picture: Getty)
Every November, you’ll see people donning a new accessory on their coat, jumpers and shirt lapel – namely, a bright red poppy.
That’s because November is when the UK marks Remembrance Day – to honour the lives lost in service of the country.
We thank Armed Forces of Britain and the Commonwealth – as well as their families, the emergency services, and many others – for the sacrifices they’ve made, and for protecting the country during conflict.
And the occasion is typically marked by wearing a poppy emblem on your clothes to show your respect.
So, on which date does Remembrance Day take place this year? And when can you get your poppy?
Here’s what you need to know.
When is Remembrance Day in 2022?
The Cenotaph War Memorial in London (Picture: Getty)
Remembrance Day – also called Armistice Day – takes place on November 11 each year.
However, it is also commemorated on the second Sunday of each November, which is known as Remembrance Sunday.
For 2022, Remembrance Sunday falls on November 13.
In the coming years, we will mark Remembrance Sunday on November 12 in 2023, November 10 in 2024 and November 9 in 2025.
Typically, it is marked with a minutes’ silence at 11am. The National Service of Remembrance also sees veterans walk a procession through London to the Cenotaph War Memorial.
There are also plenty of poppy symbols around in the lead-up to the day.
Why do people wear poppies for Remembrance Day?
Poppies can be bought as paper pins, enamel pins or clip-ons (Picture: Getty)
Throughout the beginning of November, it’s common to see a red pin on people’s coats and jackets.
You’ll see them on TV, too – worn religiously by TV presenters and newsreaders on major channels like BBC and ITV.
But why is the red poppy such a symbol for the day and for the army?
Well, it dates back to the First World War. Poppies grew from the battlefields of the Western Front in Europe, as they thrived in the condition of the soil.
Canadian surgeon and poet John McCrae served at Ypres, Belgium and was seemingly struck by the sight of them.
More: British Army
He immortalised what he’d seen in a famous war memorial verse called In Flanders Fields.
Britain began to use the poppy symbol shortly after the war in 1921, when the Royal British Legion was formed.
Originally, they were made out of silk – though you’re far likelier to see paper or enamel pins today.
When can you buy Remembrance Day poppies?
The Royal British Legion is the official seller of poppies for Remembrance Day in the UK and they are available now.
You can get a paper poppy for £2, a 2022 dated poppy for £3 or an enamel poppy for £4.99.
You can buy paper poppies, poppy pins, accessories and even wreaths to lay from The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Shop (Picture: Getty)
If you want to increase your donation to the charity, there are options to spend £5 or £10 on the paper and enamel poppies, instead. 100% of what you spend goes to The Royal British Legion.
You can also opt to wear poppies in other ways, by buying accessories such as scarves, brooches and cufflinks, all adorned with poppy designs via The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Shop.
Those wanting to lay a wreath can buy a medium one from the same site for £19.99.
If you’d prefer to buy your poppy out and about, usually sellers will be about and about nearer the time.
Or you could pay a visit to your nearest Royal British Legion charity shop to get one in person.
MORE : £1,000,000 fundraiser for London Poppy Day cancelled because of rail strikes
MORE : What does a white or purple poppy mean? Different colours, explained
MORE : Where does the money donated to the Poppy Appeal go?
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Lest we forget.