The Origin Story of The Poppy

By Victoria Gonzalez

Remembrance Day is a time of recognition and respect toward the veterans who fought for Canadian freedom and safety. Closely attached to this important day is the poppy – a small red flower worn on the left collar or lapel, as close to the heart as possible. Millions of Canadians, from the last Friday of October up until November 11th, will proudly wear their poppies in recognition of Canada’s fallen soldiers. As Remembrance Day approaches, it is the perfect time to both educate ourselves about Canadian history and showcase our admiration for the men and women who keep us safe. I wanted to share the history behind the poppy, the meaning attached to this important symbol, and why we continue to wear them today. The poppy has become a universally recognized symbol of thankfulness, remembrance and appreciation to those who lost their lives in the World Wars and continue to fight towards peace today! To most Canadians, the rise of the poppy is undeniably attributed to Captain John McCrae. This man is of extraordinary importance to Canadian history for many reasons. He served in the Canadian Artillery during World War I as a surgeon and was the author of the famous poem “In Flanders Fields”. Most of us recognize this work of poetry as it is read in schools, ceremonies and events across Canada on Remembrance Day. The poem was published in 1915 and ever since the poppy has become the ultimate symbol of both honour and remembrance. Captain McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” was the first to take notice of the ‘poppy phenomenon’ and its origin story is quite interesting! The aftermath of World War I was that of mass destruction and loss of human life. Those who sustained fatal injuries during combat lay in French and Belgium battlefields, after having made the ultimate sacrifice. As a direct result of the war, the soil on the Western Front had been disturbed. With high concentrations of both nitrogen and lime from rubble and explosions, a beautiful and unexpected thing occurred. Where the fallen soldiers had been laid to rest, they were eventually surrounded by the blossoming of small, red flowers, that we know as poppies today. The combination of lime and destruction created a unique environment where these flowers could thrive. Poppies created a beautiful contrast in scenery after the First World War – what used to be a violent and unforgiving battleground, became a field in which flowers bloom along the mass graves of those we remember and celebrate each year. This incredible work of poetry created amidst the First World War has had a lasting impact on how we celebrate our veterans today. Its creation led Canadians to start the Poppy Campaign, raising money and awareness towards soldiers and their families. I encourage you to wear a poppy this year to recognize those who gave their lives and support the Royal Canadian Legion which advocates for our veterans.