When is Remembrance Day 2020 and will Covid rules affect events?
REMEMBRANCE DAY 2020 will be celebrated slightly differently today as England remains in the middle of a four-week national lockdown.
Coronavirus has hampered many celebrations in 2020 - but tributes to those who have lost their lives during armed conflicts will still take place, just on a much smaller scale than usual.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
When is Remembrance Day 2020?
Remembrance Day is always marked on November 11 and is a memorial to remember those members of the armed forces who have fought and died in the line of duty.
In 2020, this will be a Wednesday.
A two-minute silence is acknowledged up and down the country at 11am.
The silence is a time for people to remember those who lost their lives fighting for their country.
The tradition was first started by King George V in 1919 to mark the end of World War I.
Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month", in accordance with the armistice.
The tradition of Remembrance Day evolved out of Armistice Day, as many countries changed the name during the Second World War.
Members of the Commonwealth adopted Remembrance Day, while the US chose Veterans Day.
Poppies are worn to mark the occasion.
The reason poppies are used is because they are the flowers which grew on the battlefields after the First World War ended.
Poppies are sold to raise money for servicemen and women who are still alive but whose lives have been changed by war.
When was Remembrance Sunday 2020?
Remembrance Sunday commemorates the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts.
It is held on the second Sunday in November every year.
In 2020, it was held on November 8.
It is usually marked by ceremonies held at war memorials up and down the country with many present and former members of the armed services attending.
remembrance day
How will Covid rules affect events?
While some acts of remembrance have been cancelled due to the Covid restrictions, many are still going ahead but with strict rules in place.
The annual Remembrance Sunday March Past the Cenotaph, which usually sees up to 10,000 people take part, was cancelled.
The Government-led Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph still went ahead as a closed ceremony with members of the Royal family, international leaders and armed forces veterans allowed to attend the service.
The main organisers of the events, the British Legion, said: “We are encouraging people across the nations to ensure Remembrance Sunday is still marked appropriately by taking part in remote and socially distanced Remembrance activity, whether that be watching the service on television or pausing for the Two Minute Silence in their home or on their doorsteps.”
Downing Street has confirmed that remembrance services and events can be held, as long as there are strict social distancing measures in place.
The Festival of Remembrance, usually held at the Royal Albert Hall and attended by the Queen and the Royal Family, didn't go ahead due to the Covid-19 restrictions and social distancing guidelines.
Instead, the Royal British Legion and BBC, created a pre-recorded programme which was broadcast on BBC One on Saturday, November 7, and is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
The Royal British Legion encouraged people to mark Remembrance Sunday at home by watching the service on TV.
Remembrance events should be short and focused on wreath-laying, while a march past or parade can take place if attendees are socially distanced.
Guidance says limited communal singing is permitted outside.
These include songs being a few minutes or less and attendees must observe social distancing.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Defence minister, Johnny Mercer, said: "There will be guidance given out by local authorities but remembrance events will be able to go ahead."
As well as wearing a poppy this year, you can show your support by using a digital poppy on social media sites, or by colouring in a downloadable poppy picture and displaying it.