Today is Memorial Day here in the US. It's the day we honor all men and women who died while serving in the military. Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day originated following the Civil War. The exact origin of the holiday is unknown, but families of those killed during the Civil War would visit their graves and leave flowers and wreaths. By 1890, most states were observing Memorial Day formally, and the observance of Memorial Day would change over the years, particularly after both World Wars.
Today's piece is based on one of the traditions that came from WWI, the poppy as a symbol of remembrance. Across Europe in the years following WWI, poppies flourished in fields of battle. Scientists believed it was because of the soil being enriched with lime from rubble left behind after the war. Poppies grew up in these fields, and became a symbol of the bloodshed and lives lost to war. I remember reading the poem In Flanders Field by John McCare in middle school, which popularized the poppy as this symbol. My dad used to make sure we stopped to get a paper poppy at the table in front of the grocery store sponsored by the American Legion (I do this still today). In 1920, the American Legion designated the poppy their official flower and started the their distribution program to honor those who served and died during war. May 28 is National Poppy Day. I missed doing a piece for that specific day, so I'm doing it today instead.
Details:
Stitches: whipped back stitch, back stitch
Thread palette: DMC 310, 817 (3 strands)
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