White Poppies For Peace made their first appearance 73 Years ago on Armistice day 1933, members of the Women's Co-operative Guild - many of them mothers, sisters, widows and sweethearts of men killed in the First World War - anxiously noted the growing domestic and international tensions. They saw that the war to end all wars, in which their men had fought and died, could be followed by an even worse war.
The white popy was born out of their concern. While the red poppy raises funds for the British Legion, the white poppy's aim was to spark debate and rally resistance to war.
Its supporters urged those in power to take action and prevent a drift to war before it was to late. Conflicts, they insisted, should be resolved without violence and with justice. The need to do this is even more urgent.
Over 300 wars later, and after the slaughter of over 200,000,000 people, the white poppy is still a painful reminder of the worlds failure to prevent war. It is a symbol of grief for everyone harmed by war - but, more importantly, it is a symbol of our determination to work together to abolish war for good.
NOW IS THE TIME TO START BUILDING A CULTURE OF PEACE
