The History of How Red Poppies Became the Symbol of Memorial Day Is Fascinating
As Memorial Day approaches, red poppies begin to make their annual appearance, especially pinned to people's lapels, tote bags or even hats. These colorful flowers, often made of fabric or crepe paper honor and memorialize fallen soldiers, as well as serving as a fundraiser to support our nation's war veterans. The red poppy officially became the national emblem of remembrance in 1920 – but the resilient little flower's roots run deep, all the way back to the battlefields of World War I, where they grew in the unlikeliest of places.
Red poppies symbolize resilience
Despite their cheerful flowers, poppies are technically classified as weeds. They have grow in even the most inhospitable of landscapes — including the war-torn battlefields in 1915. Even though the landscapes were left devastated, red poppies arose from the wreckage come spring, like tiny beacons of hope.
According to the History Channel, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae was particularly moved by the red flowers he saw popping up all over the Europe after the human conflicts had quieted. He noticed a cluster of poppies blanketing Flanders Field in Belgium that spring, where he was serving as a brigade surgeon for an Allied artillery unit. Soon after, a huge battle tore through the area, killing 87,000 allied soldiers, including one of McCrae’s closest friends.
Overcome with sorrow, he wrote the poem “In Flanders Field” to channel his grief. Told from the perspective of the fallen soldiers buried beneath the poppies, it honored the troops who lost their lives in that conflict:
“In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae
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.
In the U.S., a professor made them a memorial
McCrae’s poem, published in London’s Punch magazine in December 1915, was an instant success. Mourners read it at countless memorial services, used it in efforts to recruit soldiers and reprinted it in countless publications, including Ladies Home Journal. That's where Moina Michael, a professor at the University of Georgia, first came across “In Flanders Field.” Unable to get it out of her mind, she vowed to always wear a red poppy in remembrance of those who were lost at that battle.
Michael found her first fabric poppies at a local department store, where she bought a handful for herself and to pass out to her colleagues. After the war ended, she decided to craft and sell red silk poppies to raise money to support the returning veterans. She also lobbied to make the red poppy a national memorial symbol, so others could do the same. In 1920, she convinced Georgia’s chapter of the American Legion to recognize the poppy as a symbol. Soon after, the National American Legion followed suit and the little red flower officially became the U.S. national emblem of remembrance on September 27, 1920.
When to wear them depends on where you live
Wearing a poppy has become a symbol of remembering the soldiers lost during World War I all over the world, but the timing differs slightly depending on where you live. In the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand, observers wear the red flowers on Nov. 11 to commemorate the anniversary of the 1918 armistice, which is known as Remembrance Day. The holiday has expanded to remember the fallen soldiers from other conflicts since WWI as well, and often also includes a moment of silence to recall the memories of those who are no longer with us, Britannica explains. It may also feature memorial services, speeches by public officials and other solemn ceremonies, at which you'll often see the red flowers grace the lapels of participants.
Purchase a poppy and help veterans' families
In the United States, however, the tradition has unfolded differently. We don't typically wear poppies on Veterans Day, since that time is set aside to honor all living veterans. Instead, we don a red poppy on Memorial Day to honor the men and women who have died fighting for our country. But you don't have to wait until May 28 to pin one to your chest. National Poppy Day falls on the Friday before Memorial Day each year, when you can support veterans' services in addition to remembering the lost.
As part of the VFW's Buddy Poppy program, volunteers hand out red poppies in exchange for donations to support the country's veterans and their families. Disabled and otherwise needy veterans assemble the flowers and receive financial compensation for their efforts. The VFW Buddy Poppy program also provides financial aid for state and national veterans' rehabilitation and service programs, as well as partially supporting the VFW National Home For Children. So this year, help out veterans and their families by adding a poppy to your Memorial Day attire and spare a thought for those we've lost.
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