nourishing obscurity: [remembrance sunday] the armistice story part 1

The 11th of November is sometimes known as Poppy Day (in case you've wondered why Brit TV announcers have been decorated with red poppies for the last few weeks), and sometimes as Armistice Day. This is linked to the cessation of hostilities in the First World War 90 years ago today.

James Higham has a good background post on his blog, explaining how the war started and why the poppies: nourishing obscurity: [remembrance sunday] the armistice story part 1:

We all know about poppies, the day is celebrated around the world and yet do you know the actual story? The aim of this post is to bring together the story in one package.

It is also one of the primary reasons I see no justification for wars being declared. This is not to say we shouldn't be prepared - we should and with the best equipment.

I'm referring to the ruling donkeys deciding that a jolly good war is in order and to hell with the lives of countless young people. Sorry if this makes me hot under the collar.

It's worth a read.

Also worth noting, perhaps, is that the armistice was signed in France, and the day was the feast day of a French bishop, St Martin of Tours, who could be described as the patron saint of conscientious objectors.Some bloggers, like Alice In Blogland: November, will be wearing white poppies, to remember conscientious objectors as well as combatants.