We all know about John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” which made the poppy famous as an international symbol of remembrance. But did you know all these flower facts?
Poppy season is once again upon us. And while you may think you know all there is to know about these famous symbols of remembrance, you might be surprised to find out the following flower facts.
1. Who makes them? Poppies in Canada used to be manufactured by disabled veterans in Vetcraft shops but today are made by Toronto-based company Dominion Regalia Ltd.
2. How to wear it? The Royal Canadian Legion suggests that the poppy be worn on the left lapel of a garment and/or as close to the heart as possible.
4. Across the pond, British celebrities such as Simon Cowell and music group the Saturdays have blinged up the humble poppy with a designer $135 (Canadian) version studded with crystals.
5. In Canada, the poppy’s centre was originally black, changed to green in 1980 to represent the green fields of France, then was changed back to black in 1986 to look like a real poppy, which is red with a black centre. It took a whole 16 years to use up all the green felt from 1980.
6. A poppy costs an estimated five cents to make. An estimated $7 - $8 million will be collected this year from donations.
7. International symbol: Poppies are distributed in 53 Commonwealth countries.
8. Americans have traditionally worn poppies the week before Memorial Day in May (originally called Decoration Day).
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9. In 2004 the Royal Canadian Mint issued a quarter emblazoned with a red poppy, which was the first coloured circulation coin in the world.
10. According to a 2007 Associated Press report based on once-classified U.S. government documents, Canada’s poppy-emblazoned remembrance coin was a shocking, unfamiliar sight to U.S. Army contractors travelling in Canada. They suspected the coins were being used for espionage purposes, stating they are “filled with something man-made that looked like nano-technology.”
11. What to do with it afterwards? While not recyclable, the Legion recommends that after Nov. 11 you place your discarded Poppy at the base of your city’s cenotaph as a sign of respect to veterans.
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