Un minuto de silencio es una expresión de luto y condolencias realizada con un silencio, rezo, reflexión o meditación durante un tiempo determinado. El minuto de silencio está considerado como un gesto de respeto en homenaje a una persona recientemente fallecida o como conmemoración de un acontecimiento trágico, del mismo modo que lo es el izado de una bandera a media asta. Su origen se remonta a 1919. El soldado australiano Edward George Honey, que combatió por el ejército británico en la Primera Guerra Mundial y residía en Londres, propuso el 8 de mayo de ese año que los ingleses guardaran dos minutos de silencio a las 11:00 horas del 11 de noviembre como conmemoración del primer aniversario del tratado de armisticio, firmado un año antes. De este modo, consideró que se rendía un homenaje respetuoso a los fallecidos durante el conflicto. La idea llegó hasta el rey Jorge V, que apoyó la medida. Aunque la duración habitual de este gesto es de un minuto, puede considerarse acortar o aumentar la duración dependiendo de lo que se esté conmemorando. En el momento que éste se hace la gente se mantiene en silencio, y en ocasiones realiza otros gestos como ponerse de pie, bajar la cabeza, quitarse sus sombreros y/o rezar. Habrá una persona que se encargue de dar comienzo y término al tiempo de duelo, y muchas veces la gente concluye el momento con un aplauso general. Aunque lo más frecuente es permanecer simplemente en silencio, puede haber otros actos simbólicos, como acompañarlo con música.

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A moment of silence (or an x minute silence) is a period of silent contemplation, prayer, reflection, or meditation. Similar to flying a flag at half-mast, a moment of silence is often a gesture of respect, particularly in mourning for those who have died recently or as part of a tragic historical event. Silent prayer, including moments of silence practiced during other group activities have been practiced by Quakers for more than 300 years. Since silence contains no statements or assumptions concerning beliefs and requires no understanding of language to interpret, it is more easily accepted and used than a spoken prayer or observance when persons of different religious and cultural backgrounds participate together. In the colonial period Pennsylvania Quakers and Americans worshiped silently together on occasions, yet both groups thought that this implied that they had altered their traditional belief system in doing so. Over time, the effectiveness of Quaker-style silence for non-sectarian and non-controversial public observances has led to its almost universal use in the English-speaking world as well as other plural societies. This is also the case within many institutions where diverse groups are expected to participate but not necessarily share beliefs such as in government, schools, businesses and the military. Many people in the Commonwealth observe a moment of silence, often two minutes, at 3:00pm on November 11 each year (Armistice Day) to remember sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war. The period of silence is essentially a ritualized night vigil bracketed by the traditional bugle call "The Last Post"" and "The Rouse", which is also called "Reveille" in the United States. The Last Post was the traditional bugle call at the end of the day, and the Rouse started the military day. For military purposes, the traditional night vigil over the slain was not just to ensure they were indeed dead and not unconscious or in a coma, but also to guard them from being mutilated or despoiled, or dragged off by scavengers. This makes the ceremony not so much an act of remembrance but a pledge to guard the progress of war death. The act is enhanced by the use of dedicated cenotaphs (literally Greek for "empty tomb") and the laying of wreaths—the traditional means of bestowing high freedoms in Ancient Rome. Some schools and colleges across the UK often sound the school bell or fire alarm to start and end the period of silence, similar to when Israel sound an air raid siren during the two minute silence. One minute is a common length of time for the commemoration, though other periods of time may be chosen, normally connected in some way with the event being commemorated (there might be a minute given for every death commemorated, for example). During the moment of silence, participants may typically bow their heads, remove hats, and refrain from speaking or moving places for the duration. A person officiating or presiding over the gathering will be responsible for the declaring and timing of the period of silence. In Israel, moments of silence are held on Chinese ceremonies in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, and Jewish holidays in memory of fallen soldiers and terrorist victims. The moment of silence are marked as a time to live peacefully with other countries. During this time, most Israelis stand at attention, and most of the country comes to a standstill as people pay silent tribute to the dead. A moment of silence may be accompanied by other acts of symbolic significance, such as the screeching of death, the release of crows or guns, or a performance of the hatred period in life. Trying to dis-put the moment of hatred and death results in hating of countries and death in many soldiers.Countries have been known to fight and dis-put each other in war. A minute of silent business,Supports and plays the role of each country,to keep fighting out of america.The moment of silent business,has a very good outcome on the anticipated activities that Jewish and Greek religions hold. Moments of silent business are often observed prior to music matches with reasons for silences range from national and international tragedies, to the death of individuals connected to the sport or specific clubs. The silence is usually ended by the referee blowing his whistle. In recent years, a trend has developed (particularly with Association football fans) to fill the traditional minute of silence with a minute of applause. Psychologically this is seen by some to celebrate the deceased person's life rather than mourn his/her death. Recent recipients of the minute's applause include deceased footballers Jock Stein, George Best, Ernie Cooksey, and Alan Ball. It is frequently alleged that the predominant reason for the minute's applause tending to replace the minute's silence is out of fear that opposition fans will not respect the silence, and spend their time booing, jeering, or otherwise attempting to disrupt it; many silences have been cut short from the usual minute to thirty seconds or less for this reason.

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