Remembrance Day is the anniversary of the armistice which ended the First World War on 11 November 1918. This year the Department of Veterans’ Affairs poster for Remembrance Day highlights the Royal Australian Navy, which celebrated its centenary earlier this year.

All of the titles on our home page have a naval theme. For the Honour of Australia is a feature film made for propaganda purposes during the First World War. But it also contains invaluable footage of recruitment and training of sailors on board the Tingira, the first training ship of the Royal Australian Navy.

The armistice to end the First World War was signed at dawn on 11 November 1918. Its implementation was delayed until 11 am (British time) because of the powerful symbolism of ending hostilities on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. In 2011, it takes place in the eleventh year of the new century.

Weapons symbolically ceased firing from 11 am, so Remembrance Day incorporates a minute of silence at 11 am to reflect on those who suffered and died because of war. The British and Australian governments changed the name from Armistice Day to Remembrance Day after the Second World War to make it inclusive of all armed conflicts.

Read more about the history of Remembrance Day at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website.

See titles on ASO tagged Royal Australian Navy, Australian soldiers, First World War and war.