I suppose everyone who reads this is Canadian and doesn't really need to be reminded or have this explained, but this post is in honour of Rememberance Day.
(saying "Happy Remembrance Day just seems inappropriate, somehow)
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"To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high"
Two questions:
1) Can anyone shed some light on the history of green centre vs. black centre poppies?
b) I remember reading that poppies as a symbol of remembrance were first worn in the UK, sold by a woman who bought ~25 and shared them amongst her friends. Tonight on the Ceeb, it was made clear that the tradition began in America. Wikipedia suggests it was a French woman named Madame E. Guérin who introduced the artificial poppy. Anyone have a better understanding of its origins?
I always thought the black vs green was just an "availability of materials" thing. I remember quite a variety in the shades of green, too.
I don't think the poppy tradition began in America. Do you mean "the Ceeb" as in the CBC? 'Cause that link on my blog is a CBC site, and they make it pretty clear that though the association of the poppy with war dead is French (the Napoleonic Wars - maybe that's where Mme. Guerin comes in?), the "Flander's Field" poem caused the poppies to be linked with Rememberance Day in all Commonwealth countries in 1921. No mention of America at all.
And here, Veterans' Day and Memorial Day are different, and Memorial Day is the equivalent to our Rememberance Day. (see the FAQ ). According to that, poppies are worn but they come from the same inspiration as the Canadian ones; Macrae's poem.