I do believe it was in my last post that I declared my fascination with the Second World War; the commaraderie, the fashions, music and dancing. Studying that period through books and films was something of a segue into Lindy Hop for me because though the dance originated in 1930's Harlem, it was still going strong during the war and all the cool cats knew how to swingout (especially those handsome GIs from across the pond).
So when it came to creating an illustration for the month of November in my 2021 Lindy Hop calendar, I knew I wanted to pay tribute to all the exceptional men and women who risked their lives every day in the fight for freedom, and danced holes in their shoes to Big Band numbers in smokey bars at night.
And I am very happy to announce that this illustration is now available to order as a stand alone print! As with all my other Lindy Hop prints, it is available in the following sizes A5, A4 and A3, and I will be donating £1 from every sale to the Royal British Legion.
Or, should you would prefer to wear your support on your lapel, these two happy dancers are now also available as a pin badge! As with the print, I will be donating £1 from every sale of the badge to the Royal British Legion.
Remembrance Day itself has been observed throughout the Commonwealth every November since the tradition (originally named Armistice Day) was inaugurated by King George V in 1919, to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. It is observed on 11 November in most countries to recall the end of hostilities of First World War on that date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month", in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente. It was during the Second World War that many countries changed the name of the holiday; member states of the Commonwealth of Nations adopted Remembrance Day, while the US chose Veteran's Day.
Wreath-laying ceremonies, usually organised by local branches of the Royal British Legion are observed on Remembrance Day at most war memorials across the UK at 11 am on 11 November, with two minutes of silence observed. Remembrance Sunday is held on the Sunday nearest to 11 November when there is a National Service of Remembrance in London as well as other services and ceremonies in the regions. Typically, poppy wreaths are laid by representatives of the Crown, the armed forces, and local civic leaders, as well as by local organisations including ex-servicemen organisations, cadet forces, Scouts, Guides, Boys' Brigade, St John Ambulance and the Salvation Army.
In 2014 the Royal Mint issued a colour-printed Alderney £5 coin, designed by engraver Laura Clancy, to commemorate Remembrance Day and in comemoration of the outbreak of World War I a huge display called Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, consisting of 888,246 ceramic poppies was installed in the moat of the Tower of London, each poppy representing a British Empire fatality.
On 5 November 2018, about 10,000 torches were lit at the foot of the Tower's walls, in its dry moat to mark the centenary of the end of the World War I. They burnt for 4 months.
And in November 2020, Amy Hood Illustration released an art print of a couple, proudly sporting their service uniforms, kicking up their heels in celebration of peace, civil liberty and equality.