Remembrance poppies In Flanders Fields

poppy wreaths @ menin gate in ypres, belgium

the red poppies mccrae referred had been associated conflict since napoleonic wars when writer of time first noted how poppies grew on graves of soldiers. damage done landscape in flanders during battle increased lime content in surface soil, leaving poppy 1 of few plants able grow in region.

inspired in flanders fields , american professor moina michael resolved @ war s conclusion in 1918 wear red poppy year-round honour soldiers had died in war. wrote poem in response called shall keep faith . distributed silk poppies peers , campaigned have them adopted official symbol of remembrance american legion. madame e. guérin attended 1920 convention legion supported michael s proposal , inspired sell poppies in native france raise money war s orphans. in 1921, guérin sent poppy sellers london ahead of armistice day, attracting attention of field marshal douglas haig. co-founder of royal british legion, haig supported , encouraged sale. practice spread throughout british empire. wearing of poppies in days leading remembrance day remains popular in many areas of commonwealth of nations, particularly great britain, canada , south africa , in days leading anzac day in australia , new zealand.