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11 November 2011

Posted by DMC on 12 November 2011 in Diary |

Remembrance Day (aka Poppy Day or Armistice Day) is a day observed in the Commonwealth countries since the end of World War 1..to remember the members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty. It was in 1919 that George V decreed this memorial day. be observed on 11 November each year to recall the official end of World War I. in 1918,. When host and ilities formally ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” with the German signing of the Armistice. This day was subsequently extended as a Memorial day to all members of the Armed Forces killed in action in any war since 1914 -1918 war.

The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day because of the poem “In Flanders Fields”, written by John MrCrae. Poppies bloom across some of more notorious battlefields of Flanders in World War I. which inspired McCrae to write the poem. Their brilliant colour, is a stark, spine chilling reminder of the blood spilled in the war. It is traditional in the Commonwealth to include either one or 2 min of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month .(indeed, I did so myself today at 11 o’clock this morning, sitting quietly alone in my study) In the UK each year on 11 November there is a special service held at the Cenotaph, (literally empty tomb-dedicated to the unknown soldier) in Whitehall , which is attended by the Queen and other members of the Royal family as well as the heads of all three armed services and a large number of veterans who march to commemorate all of those who have fallen in active service in any field of operation since the First World War.

This year the number 11 has a special significance due to it being 2011. This, of course, only occurs once every hundred years and is considered by some to be exceptionally lucky.

For example, a great number of weddings take place today, particularly in China, where such superstitions around numbers runs rife.| 

I recall some years ago when I was in China hearing of a wealthy businessman paying $1 million for the single numeral 8 on a car number plate. Number 8 being the luckiest number for the Chinese. For that reason if you have an 8 in your birthday you are considered the very lucky. I have two out of a possible three On 8 August 1988 housands of Chinese got married. in mass ceremony.

For Chinese numerology and Feng Shui , 2011 is a special year as we are going to experience four unusual dates: 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, 11/11/.

Also this year, how many of you noticed that October had 5 Sundays, 5 Mondays, and 5 Saturdays. This happens only once every 823 years. These particular years are known as Moneybag years. The proverb goes that, if you send this to eight good friends, money will appear in the next four days, as is explained in the Chinese Feng Shui. Those who don’t continue the chain, won’t receive. I don’t believe a word .of it myself and will not be specifically asked 8 friends to pass it on, although I suppose it could be said that I’m passing along through this blog, each day to 2008 – 3008 readers so perhaps I would win the lottery ( (if I did it, which I don’t!)! If you are superstitious and would like to try your luck then go for it, after all this only happens y once in 823 years.

By an extraordinary coincidence there was a programme on television last evening entitled Derren Brown -The Experiments and this programmee focused entirely on luck. Darren demonstrated, beyond doubt that you can make your own luck and then if you think positively about something is far more likely to happen. If you get a chance to see this programme on Channel 4, it is well worthwhile watching.

For a bit of fun try this. Take the last two digits of the year you were born and add the age you will be this year and the result will add up to 111 – for everyone!!!!

With all these numbers flying out let’s see how clever you are. Click here for Brain of Britain If nothing else you can have fun with your friends at Christmas.

 

2 Comments

  • Amanda says:

    We had a similiar rememberance program at what is the equivalent of the Cenotaph here in the U.S. which is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. My man and I decided to visit some of the historical battlefields from America’s civil war. Though the history was there in markers along all the walks, it was a very pleasant day, sunny, a little windy, but we walked up and down hills and it felt so good to have the sun on our backs. Then back home to have some very warming stew and to bed under a nice warm quilt. It was such a good day!

  • DMC says:

    Dear Amanda.

    I’m delighted to hear that you and your husband on getting out and about and enjoying life with the sun on your back! Keep it up.

    Best wishes

    Mark

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