-
Source: Reuters -
Related
Poppies are a symbol used to remember the tens of thousands of New Zealanders who died fighting in wars during the 20th century.
But they are also an international symbol of remembrance.
The poppy was the first plant to grow over soldier's graves at Flanders, in Belgium, during World War One. Flanders saw some of the greatest loss of life on the Western Front, particularly at the three battles of Ypres.
Flanders was immortalised in the poem
In Flanders Fields written by Canadian John
McCrae . The inspiration for the poem was the death of a fellow
officer. McCrae's poem was sent anonymously by a fellow officer to
the English magazine, Punch and was published on December 8,
1915.
It became one of the most famous poems of all time.
New York YMCA canteen worker Moina Michael was one of the many people, moved by McRae's poem. She campaigned to get the poppy adopted as a national symbol of remembrance in the United States and was succesful at the American Legion Convention in 1920.
French woman Madame E. Guérin was at the convention and set out to promote the poppy as a symbol of remembrance throughout the world. She approached veteran organisations' in the New Zealand, Britain, Australia Canada and the US urging them to adopt the poppy.
The first Poppy Day in New Zealand was April 24, 1922.
Latest NZ News Video
-
ONE News Minute 6pm update: May 23 (1:12)
-
Hints parents need not worry ahead of Budget (1:36)
-
NZ bidding to join UN Security Council (1:34)
