Two Minute Silence. In this place, on 10th May 1916, what is thought to be the world's first two minute silence was observed prior to an agricultural fair and May day fair organised to raise funds for the British Red Cross. At 11.00am all those gathered paused for two minutes as a token of respect to the memory of those who had fallen during the war, to the wounded, to the prisoners and to those who were fighting for their country.