What is it?
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australians and New Zealanders during the First World War.
Observed on 25 April every year, Anzac Day originally honoured the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought the Ottoman Empire in Gallipoli.
Later, Anzac Day also served to commemorate the lives of Australians who died in the Second World War, and now the day has been broadened to include those who lost their lives in all Australian military and peacekeeping operations.
This year it will be the 101st anniversary of the Gallipoli landing and the 100th anniversary of Anzac Day itself.
Why is it celebrated?
During World War One, Australia fought on the side of the Commonwealth, with the ultimate objective of capturing Constantinopole, the capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany.
This involved the Gallipoli campaign, which saw 8,000 Australian soldiers die in an attempt to capture the peninsula in order to turn the Dardanelles over to the allied navies.
Both sides ended up with heavy casualties and endured much hardship.
The Gallipoli campaign had a profound impact on Australia and New Zealand, helping them establish a reputation among the nations of the world.
The ‘Anzac legend’ became a powerful part of the identity of both countries.
How is it celebrated?
The day of national remembrance takes two forms.
The first is through commemorative services held across the nation at dawn, because the half-light of dawn is one of the times still favoured by the Australian Army for launching an attack. This year, the national Dawn Service will be held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, the country’s capital, starting at 4.30am. Millions of Australians are expected to attend the traditional services in honour of those who have served.
Later on in the day, former servicemen and women assemble to take part in marches through the nations’ major cities. Australians and New Zealanders can either take part or watch on the sidelines, waving national flags to support the marchers.
Special food, such as Anzac Day biscuits, is also eaten. An Anzac biscuit is made from rolled oats, flour, sugar, butter, golden syrup and boiling water. Legend has it that the biscuits were sent by wives to soldiers abroad because the biscuits kept well on missions and didn’t spoil easily.
