Understanding why we remember

The 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month – we’ve all heard the phrase but what does it really mean?

Why is it poppies for Remembrance Day and rosemary for ANZAC Day?

And what does ‘the Armistice’ have to do with any of it?

George Santayana once said that “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. However, as the ranks of our older veterans thin, and most Australians’ links to the ANZACs fade into history, the reason behind many of these traditions can be lost.

People gather at ANZAC Square in Brisbane on Remembrance Day

If you’re teaching your students about Remembrance Day (or if you’ve ever wondered about the answers to any of those questions yourself), RSL Education has a range of curriculum-based, age-appropriate resources to help you out.

• Learn more about how we commemorate Remembrance Day, including the origins of The Ode of Remembrance that is read at commemorative ceremonies

• Find out about the symbolism in the activities connected to Remembrance Day

• Discover why poppies are associated with Remembrance Day (and create your own poppy or poppy wreath)

• Plan your own commemorative ceremony to gain a fuller understanding of its significance

• Explore the hardships the ANZACs experienced, and how that forged the ANZAC spirit and tradition

Older students can learn about what life was like for Australian soldiers during WWI, including the rules of war, the risk of gas attacks, and other dangers of trench warfare, or the lasting impact that WWI had on Australian society.

And even when Remembrance Day is past, there’s plenty more on the portal, such as educational resources on Health and Wellbeing – including a mini bootcamp and resources on empathy, resilience, and PTSD and anxiety.