At 11 am on 11 November 1918, an armistice signed 6 hours earlier between a German delegation and Allied representatives brought an end to fighting in World War I. Many still in the forward areas greeted the news with subdued relief and sorrow for the friends who'd lost their lives. Further from the front and around the world, there were joyous public celebrations and countless moments of quiet reflection in the homes of the fallen. People in the Allied countries rejoiced, but they also reflected on the terrible cost of victory.

In Australia and other countries whose soldiers had fought on the Allied side, 11 November came to be known as Armistice Day, a day to pause and remember the dead. Sixty thousand Australians had lost their lives in the war, almost one in 5 of those who served overseas. From a population of just over 5 million, this devastating loss touched families around Australia. After the war, Australian journalist Edward Honey wrote to a London newspaper, proposing 'five minutes of national remembrance' in honour of the fallen. His suggestion was well received, but 5 minutes of silence was impractical. So on 7 November 1919, King George V issued a proclamation calling for 2 minutes of silence at 11 am on 11 November. At the appointed hour, people across the British Empire paused for the first time in common reflection. It started an enduring tradition.

Two decades later, the world once again went to war. After another 6 years of global conflict and millions more dead, including 40,000 Australians, the Australian Government agreed to a British proposal to rename Armistice Day. It has been known ever since as Remembrance Day. Initially observed to honour the dead of both world wars, it now honours those who have died or suffered in wars and operations.