Tomorrow, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Australia will stand still for a moment in time to honour Remembrance Day.

Here’s a little history of what the minutes silence at 11am tomorrow really signifies:

At 11 o clock in the morning on 11 November 1918, after more than four years of horrific and constant warfare, the guns stopped and became silent on the Western Front, signifying success for the allied armies efforts in driving German invaders back, effectively ending World War One.

The first world war had horrific consequences, following the mobilisation of some 70 million people worldwide and the deaths of between 9 and 13 million.

To commemorate the huge global loss of life, the moment of ceasefire on the Western Front became universally associated with remembrance of those lost in the war and has grown to be an annual tradition for Commonwealth nations; the moment in time that we stop to remember all lives lost in all wars and armed conflicts.

2014 is the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War One and therefore, this years’ Remembrance Day has particular significance. Tuesday 11 November 2014 will see Australians remembering a century of service, scars and sacrifice from our brave Australian service men and women.

The red poppy symbolises remembrance in Australia and the Poppy Appeal fundraises for the Returned and Services League (RSL) for their support of the families of the Australian Defence Force. To read more about the Poppy Appeal, visit http://remembranceday.org.au/about-us/remembrance-day-the-appeal/

Across the nation tomorrow, RSL clubs and community groups will host Remembrance Day commemorative ceremonies and services to acknowledge, honour and remember all our national losses from all conflicts and wars as brave men and women have done and continue to do their part to pursue world peace.

Remembrance Day services will be held tomorrow at RSL clubs around Gold Coast City, including Currumbin RSL, Nerang RSL and Surfers Paradise RSL. Look for stalls in your local shopping centres and business precincts to purchase a poppy.

How can you show respect and remembrance? Pause for reflection at 11am tomorrow, purchase and wear a poppy to help the RSL continue to deliver support to Australian Defence Force families and attend a commemoration service in your local community.

For more information about Remembrance Day, visit http://remembranceday.org.au