<P> The remembrance poppy is an artificial flower that has been used since 1921 to commemorate military personnel who have died in war, and represents a common or field poppy, Papaver rhoeas . Inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields", and promoted by Moina Michael, they were first adopted by the American Legion to commemorate American soldiers killed in that war (1914--1918). They were then adopted by military veterans' groups in parts of the British Empire . </P> <P> Today, they are mostly used in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, to commemorate their servicemen and women killed in all conflicts . There, small artificial poppies are often worn on clothing leading up to Remembrance Day / Armistice Day, and poppy wreaths are often laid at war memorials . In Australia and New Zealand, they are also worn on Anzac Day . </P> <P> The Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal has caused some controversy, with some--including British Army veterans--arguing that it has become excessive, is being used to marshal support behind British military campaigns, and that public figures are pressured to wear poppies . </P>

Why do the british wear a red flower