Since the end of the First World War, the last post has been played every day in either Belgium or in Britain. As of Thursday, it has been played 30,000 times. To mark the occasion, cities around the world had musicians play the commemorative notes simultaneously.

The inaugural Last Post was played at Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium at the end of the First World War.

“The Menin Gate was built in 1927 to honour the fallen who have no known graves and lie in Flanders Fields,” says Maj. (ret) Ken Hynes, Halifax Army Museum curator.

Over the past century, The Last Post Ceremony has become a daily event in Ypres.

“Every evening at 8 o’clock, we stop traffic and we have the volunteer firefighters blow the last post,” says Line Vreven, director and regional manager North America for VisitFlanders.

During the Second World War, Belgium was occupied by Germany and the ceremony instead took place in Britain. At the end of the war, when Belgium was liberated, the ceremony moved back to Belgium.

During the war years, many Canadian soldiers travelled through Halifax on their way overseas.

“Halifax was that gateway from where it all happened, because, at that time especially, marine and naval traffic was very important,” says Vreven.

Significance not lost on the group of cadets who participated in Thursday’s performance, they've been rehearsing since last fall.

“It's their grandfathers and great-grandfathers that have served time, but it's significant to those that have served as well, because they know that Canada's youth remember what they did for us,” says Lt. Wes MacKey, of the Royal Canadian Navy. “Lest we forget doesn't really mean much unless we take every action we can to ensure that the service and sacrifice and the memory of Canada's soldiers, sailors, and airmen and women are not forgotten.”

In addition to remembering those who served, the ceremony is also meant to remind the world of the cost of battle.

“It was supposed to be the war that ended all wars, World War I, and we know from history that that was not the case,” says Vreven.

Halifax was the only Canadian city to participate in the commemorative event.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Priya Sam