British soldiers wear roses every August 1 to honor a 1759 battlefield victory
Every August 1, British soldiers adorn their headgear with roses to commemorate the Battle of Minden, where infantrymen famously plucked flowers from hedgerows while marching toward a decisive victory in 1759.
Minden Day commemorates a remarkable feat of bravery during the Seven Years' War in 1759. British and German infantry advanced against heavy French cavalry, a move usually considered military suicide, yet they emerged victorious. Legend says the soldiers picked wild roses and tucked them into their coats as they marched into the fray.
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