Something Important Happens on 11/11/11 (Not Another Skyrim Thread)

[DudeistBelieve]

What annoys me is that recently Remembrance Day in the UK has not exactly been commercialised, but it's been changed to suit the week. If it's during a week day they always make the closest monday the bank holiday and do all the parades and stuff on the closest sunday.
When I lived in Belgium, it didn't matter what day of the week it was, if it fell on a wednesday, that day would be the bank holiday, the parades and services would be held on that day.

I will be taking my two minute silence on the 11th at 11am, I'll be at work, but if they don't like it, stuff 'em.

Pray tell, what does that date mean?? and why is it so important to do that stuff on that day?? me being Mexican has got me completely blank about remembrance day, because we dont really remember anything interesting that happened in WWII and that holy day is nonexistent.

EDIT: oh and what is a poppie??? if anyone can answer me

This is a Poppy

It's a type of flower that grew in the fields of Flanders, France, following the great war. The artillery and mines tore up so much of the ground that it made incredibly fertile soil which allowed the Poppy to grow very well in the environment following the conflict. Today, most Commonwealth Countries wear the poppy in the month of November to honor those who died during the World Wars.

The flowers used by the wicked witch in the wizard of Oz?

 

[Soviet Heavy]

In the Netherlands the only special thing about 11/11/11 is that alot of couples are gonna marry on that particular date.
It doesn't mean we don't remember the fallen, we just have another day for it; 4th of may. I always attend to the 2 minutes of silence on that day.

I've always found it interesting that Canada has never really made a memorial day for the liberation of the Netherlands, considering the close ties between our countries. We do have the Canadian Tulip Festival that marks how we sheltered Princess Margriet during WW2, but its a much happier celebration with lots of flowers.

 

[Count Igor]

Two minutes of silence while playing Skyrim?
But apart from that, no. I really don't see the point of it.

 

[AM City Watch]

I've always thought the best commentary on the American tradition of Veteran's Day comes from one particular American veteran:

"I will come to a time in my backwards trip when November eleventh, accidentally my birthday, was a sacred day called Armistice Day. When I was a boy, and when Dwayne Hoover was a boy, all the people of all the nations which had fought in the First World War were silent during the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of Armistice Day, which was the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
It was during that minute in nineteen hundred and eighteen, that millions upon millions of human beings stopped butchering one another. I have talked to old men who were on battlefields during that minute. They have told me in one way or another that the sudden silence was the Voice of God. So we still have among us some men who can remember when God spoke clearly to mankind.

Armistice Day has become Veterans' Day. Armistice Day was sacred. Veterans' Day is not.
So I will throw Veterans' Day over my shoulder. Armistice Day I will keep. I don't want to throw away any sacred things."
-Kurt Vonnegut

 

[Soviet Heavy]

What annoys me is that recently Remembrance Day in the UK has not exactly been commercialised, but it's been changed to suit the week. If it's during a week day they always make the closest monday the bank holiday and do all the parades and stuff on the closest sunday.
When I lived in Belgium, it didn't matter what day of the week it was, if it fell on a wednesday, that day would be the bank holiday, the parades and services would be held on that day.

I will be taking my two minute silence on the 11th at 11am, I'll be at work, but if they don't like it, stuff 'em.

Pray tell, what does that date mean?? and why is it so important to do that stuff on that day?? me being Mexican has got me completely blank about remembrance day, because we dont really remember anything interesting that happened in WWII and that holy day is nonexistent.

EDIT: oh and what is a poppie??? if anyone can answer me

This is a Poppy

It's a type of flower that grew in the fields of Flanders, France, following the great war. The artillery and mines tore up so much of the ground that it made incredibly fertile soil which allowed the Poppy to grow very well in the environment following the conflict. Today, most Commonwealth Countries wear the poppy in the month of November to honor those who died during the World Wars.

The flowers used by the wicked witch in the wizard of Oz?

Yep. They can also be used to help make opium.

 

[dyre]

I find this pointless. Why not have a moments peace for those who have ever died, those who are dying, and those who will probably die someday (id est everybody)?

Because they haven't given their lives for you. Not most of them anyway.

Please enlighten me my good man. Who precisely has given his/her life for me, and therefore has been granted the privilege of a moment of silence after their passing? The only bloke I recall worthy of such renown was that magic fella called Jesus, but turned out to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors.

You're kind of a jackass, so I doubt that anyone would knowingly die for you specifically.

However, considering the wars that defined the 20th Century, the fact that you aren't living in a fascist or communist state is probably something that some soldiers died for, and you should be thankful for that.

Funny thing about history is , theres no way to know if losing the war and become a fascist or communist state would have been better or worst than what is now. We can only speculate but never know .

I agree with the Fascist part, but there was strong evidence of how bad living in a communist state would be. Nearly one in six East Germans fled from the Communist controlled part of the country to Democratic West Germany during the Cold War.

And in any case, people shouldn't be forced to live in fascist states without personal liberties or guarantees to due process just because it means a general increase in standard of living or something. It's not speculation to say that living under a totalitarian, one-party nationalist state means a general decrease in civil liberties

 

[Soviet Heavy]

I find this pointless. Why not have a moments peace for those who have ever died, those who are dying, and those who will probably die someday (id est everybody)?

Because they haven't given their lives for you. Not most of them anyway.

Please enlighten me my good man. Who precisely has given his/her life for me, and therefore has been granted the privilege of a moment of silence after their passing? The only bloke I recall worthy of such renown was that magic fella called Jesus, but turned out to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors.

You're kind of a jackass, so I doubt that anyone would knowingly die for you specifically.

However, considering the wars that defined the 20th Century, the fact that you aren't living in a fascist or communist state is probably something that some soldiers died for, and you should be thankful for that.

Funny thing about history is , theres no way to know if losing the war and become a fascist or communist state would have been better or worst than what is now. We can only speculate but never know .

I agree with the Fascist part, but there was strong evidence of how bad living in a communist state would be. Nearly one in six East Germans fled from the Communist controlled part of the country to Democratic West Germany during the Cold War.

And in any case, people shouldn't be forced to live in fascist states without personal liberties or guarantees to due process just because it means a general increase in standard of living or something. It's not speculation to say that living under a totalitarian, one-party nationalist state means a general decrease in civil liberties

Under a Benevolent Dictatorship, things might be different, but we will never know. The main point is that even if Stalinist Communism or Fascism were the status quo, nobody should be forced to live under the regime, like the East Germans were.

 

[antigodoflife]

Yes. In Australia we take Remembrance Day seriously. Well, we used to. I still do, but many people in my generation no longer care. In 08 we had blasted teenagers deface some of the monuments in some sort of misguided Anti-War protest.

Well, personally I hate Remembrance Day, I think it's horrible we have to sit and stare at our feet whether we like it or not for the times Australia were treated like human shields of shit to protect... England. Not Australia. Then later America.

But defacing monuments is way too far. It's second to stabbing a war vet.

 

[dyre]

I find this pointless. Why not have a moments peace for those who have ever died, those who are dying, and those who will probably die someday (id est everybody)?

Because they haven't given their lives for you. Not most of them anyway.

Please enlighten me my good man. Who precisely has given his/her life for me, and therefore has been granted the privilege of a moment of silence after their passing? The only bloke I recall worthy of such renown was that magic fella called Jesus, but turned out to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors.

You're kind of a jackass, so I doubt that anyone would knowingly die for you specifically.

However, considering the wars that defined the 20th Century, the fact that you aren't living in a fascist or communist state is probably something that some soldiers died for, and you should be thankful for that.

Funny thing about history is , theres no way to know if losing the war and become a fascist or communist state would have been better or worst than what is now. We can only speculate but never know .

I agree with the Fascist part, but there was strong evidence of how bad living in a communist state would be. Nearly one in six East Germans fled from the Communist controlled part of the country to Democratic West Germany during the Cold War.

And in any case, people shouldn't be forced to live in fascist states without personal liberties or guarantees to due process just because it means a general increase in standard of living or something. It's not speculation to say that living under a totalitarian, one-party nationalist state means a general decrease in civil liberties

Under a Benevolent Dictatorship, things might be different, but we will never know. The main point is that even if Stalinist Communism or Fascism were the status quo, nobody should be forced to live under the regime, like the East Germans were.

Benevolent dictatorships become just regular dictatorships when the leader dies. But yeah, forcing entire countries against their will to become part of those "benevolent" regimes is pretty bad.

 

[Zen Toombs]

I appreciate the reminder of what those who came before us fought and died for. The lesson on the history of America's Veterans Day is also valued.

Thank you.

 

[Evil Teddie]

Thing is, in most of the wars Britian fought it was the aggressor, which I don't agree with. Defending ourselves from a country that has attacked us, yes. Besides, if you don't buy a poppy now, people look at you funny, like you have done something wrong now. It shouldn't be about buying something, as it's the thought that counts.

 

[dyre]

Yes. In Australia we take Remembrance Day seriously. Well, we used to. I still do, but many people in my generation no longer care. In 08 we had blasted teenagers deface some of the monuments in some sort of misguided Anti-War protest.

Well, personally I hate Remembrance Day, I think it's horrible we have to sit and stare at our feet whether we like it or not for the times Australia were treated like human shields of shit to protect... England. Not Australia. Then later America.

But defacing monuments is way too far. It's second to stabbing a war vet.

Hey, hold on a sec. When did America give you a Gallipoli? The US and the Australians fought as equals against the Japanese.

 

[Purplecoyote]

Yep, in Belgium we celebrate Armistice on 11/11. Several minutes of silence are held at several places in the country but mostly Ypres obviously.

Also all the stores are closed and we don't have to go to work or school. (That means we get Skyrim on 10/11 by the way, hurray!)

 

[Purplecoyote]

What annoys me is that recently Remembrance Day in the UK has not exactly been commercialised, but it's been changed to suit the week. If it's during a week day they always make the closest monday the bank holiday and do all the parades and stuff on the closest sunday.
When I lived in Belgium, it didn't matter what day of the week it was, if it fell on a wednesday, that day would be the bank holiday, the parades and services would be held on that day.

I will be taking my two minute silence on the 11th at 11am, I'll be at work, but if they don't like it, stuff 'em.

Pray tell, what does that date mean?? and why is it so important to do that stuff on that day?? me being Mexican has got me completely blank about remembrance day, because we dont really remember anything interesting that happened in WWII and that holy day is nonexistent.

EDIT: oh and what is a poppie??? if anyone can answer me

This is a Poppy

It's a type of flower that grew in the fields of Flanders, France, following the great war. The artillery and mines tore up so much of the ground that it made incredibly fertile soil which allowed the Poppy to grow very well in the environment following the conflict. Today, most Commonwealth Countries wear the poppy in the month of November to honor those who died during the World Wars.

If I read your post wrong I apologize, but in case I didn't. Flanders isn't in France, it's the dutch speaking part of Belgium.

 

[Kopikatsu]

Thing is, in most of the wars Britian fought it was the aggressor, which I don't agree with. Defending ourselves from a country that has attacked us, yes. Besides, if you don't buy a poppy now, people look at you funny, like you have done something wrong now. It shouldn't be about buying something, as it's the thought that counts.

You must not have a girlfriend. Is joke

Anywho! I'm one of those apathetic dipsticks who doesn't celebrate any holiday at all. Conversely, I don't go around defacing memorials either...who the hell does something like that?

 

[redisforever]

It's the same in Canada, and seeing as my great-grandparents fought in the war, I will not only pause to remember them, but I'll also call them, and talk to them, because they're still with us.

 

[Segadroid]

In the Netherlands the only special thing about 11/11/11 is that alot of couples are gonna marry on that particular date.
It doesn't mean we don't remember the fallen, we just have another day for it; 4th of may. I always attend to the 2 minutes of silence on that day.

I've always found it interesting that Canada has never really made a memorial day for the liberation of the Netherlands, considering the close ties between our countries. We do have the Canadian Tulip Festival that marks how we sheltered Princess Margriet during WW2, but its a much happier celebration with lots of flowers.

This might inform you on the matter:
http://www.histori.ca/prodev/article.do?id=17547

 

[antigodoflife]

Yes. In Australia we take Remembrance Day seriously. Well, we used to. I still do, but many people in my generation no longer care. In 08 we had blasted teenagers deface some of the monuments in some sort of misguided Anti-War protest.

Well, personally I hate Remembrance Day, I think it's horrible we have to sit and stare at our feet whether we like it or not for the times Australia were treated like human shields of shit to protect... England. Not Australia. Then later America.

But defacing monuments is way too far. It's second to stabbing a war vet.

Hey, hold on a sec. When did America give you a Gallipoli? The US and the Australians fought as equals against the Japanese.

I'm talking about future wars, like the Gulf Wars 1 and 2. Thank God, John Howard was smart (oddly) and sent us to war as back up so that we were rarely in danger.

 

[dyre]

Yes. In Australia we take Remembrance Day seriously. Well, we used to. I still do, but many people in my generation no longer care. In 08 we had blasted teenagers deface some of the monuments in some sort of misguided Anti-War protest.

Well, personally I hate Remembrance Day, I think it's horrible we have to sit and stare at our feet whether we like it or not for the times Australia were treated like human shields of shit to protect... England. Not Australia. Then later America.

But defacing monuments is way too far. It's second to stabbing a war vet.

Hey, hold on a sec. When did America give you a Gallipoli? The US and the Australians fought as equals against the Japanese.

I'm talking about future wars, like the Gulf Wars 1 and 2. Thank God, John Howard was smart (oddly) and sent us to war as back up so that we were rarely in danger.

Well, that was mostly due to our "coalition building" garbage, to pretend it was a global effort, rather than us defending oil interests and regional stability. America has done a lot of bad things, but I don't really think treating the Australians as human shields of shit is one of them. That's really mostly the British, but they treat everyone like shit.

 

[Drake666]

We celebrate that day too in Canada.
I'm not from a family of soldiers (far from it), but we cannot forget those who've laid their lives for something greater then themselves.