Anzac Day

About Anzac Day: Anzac day in Australia is the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. Australians come together on ANZAC Day and spend time remembering the sacrifices of those who died in war protecting our country.

* What is anzac day?

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, originally commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all those who served and died in military operations for their countries. Anzac Day is also observed in the Cook Islands, Niue, Pitcairn, and Tonga. It is no longer observed as a national holiday in Papua New Guinea or Samoa.

* When is anzac day?

Date of anzac day: On 25th April 1915 the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on ANZAC Cove at Gallipoli Turkey at 4.29 a.m.  This landing has been commemorated ever since in Australia, New Zealand and Turkey.

What is anzac day about

Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions of both Australia and New Zealand, a rare instance of two sovereign countries not only sharing the same remembrance day, but making reference to both countries in its name. When war broke out in 1914, Australia and New Zealand had been dominions of the British Empire for thirteen and seven years respectively.

* Australian anzac day

Anzac Day is a national public holiday and is considered by many Australians to be one of the most solemn days of the year. Marches by veterans from all past wars, as well as current serving members of the Australian Defence Force and Reserves, with allied veterans as well as the Australian Defence Force Cadets and Australian Air League and supported by members of Scouts Australia, Guides Australia, and other uniformed service groups, are held in cities and towns nationwide. The Anzac Day Parade from each state capital is televised live with commentary. These events are generally followed by social gatherings of veterans, hosted either in a public house or in an RSL club, often including a traditional Australian gambling game called two-up, which was an extremely popular pastime with ANZAC soldiers.

* Anzac day in gallipoli

The 25th of April was officially named ANZAC Day in 1916. It was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services in Australia, a march through London, and a sports day in the Australian camp in Egypt. In London over 2,000 Australian and New Zealand troops marched through the streets. A London newspaper headline dubbed them “the knights of Gallipoli”. Marches were held all over Australia; in the Sydney march, convoys of cars carried wounded soldiers from Gallipoli attended by nurses. For the remaining years of the war, ANZAC Day was used as an occasion for patriotic rallies and recruiting campaigns, and parades of serving members of the AIF were held in most cities.

During the 1920s ANZAC Day became established as a national day of commemoration for the 60,000 Australians who had died during the war. In 1927, for the first time every state observed some form of public holiday on ANZAC Day. By the mid-1930s, all the rituals we now associate with the day – dawn vigils, marches, memorial services, reunions, two-up games – were firmly established as part of ANZAC Day culture.

With the coming of the Second World War, ANZAC Day also served to commemorate the lives of Australians who died in that war. In subsequent years the meaning of the day has been further broadened to include Australians killed in all the military operations in which Australia has been involved.

ANZAC Day was first commemorated at the Memorial in 1942. There were government orders prohibiting large public gatherings in case of a Japanese air attack, so it was a small occasion, with neither a march nor a memorial service. Since then, ANZAC Day has been commemorated at the Memorial every year.

* The Dawn Service

The Dawn Service observed on ANZAC Day has its origins in a military routine which is still followed by the Australian Army today. During battle, the half-light of dawn was one of the most favoured times for an attack. Soldiers in defensive positions were woken in the dark before dawn, so by the time first light crept across the battlefield they were awake, alert, and manning their weapons; this is still known as the “stand-to”. As dusk is equally favourable for attacks, the stand-to was repeated at sunset.

Today dawn services include the presence of a chaplain, but not the presence of dignitaries such as the governor general. They were originally very simple and followed the military routine. In many cases, attendance at the dawn service was restricted to veterans, while the daytime ceremony was for families and other well-wishers. Before dawn, the gathered veterans would be ordered to “stand to” and two minutes’ silence would follow. At the end of this time a lone bugler would play the Last Post and then conclude the service with Reveille, the bugler’s call to wake up.

Australians. A typical ANZAC Day ceremony may include the following features: an introduction, hymn, prayer, an address, laying of wreaths, a recitation, the Last Post, a period of silence, either the Rouse or the Reveille, and the national anthem. After the Memorial’s ceremony, families often place red poppies beside the names of relatives on the Memorial’s Roll of Honour, as they also do after Remembrance Day services.

* Anzac Biscuit

Anzacs are an Aussie favorite – They are are great tasting and easy to make. Cook some up this Anzac day to share with your family and friends. A group of women during World War 1 decided to make biscuits to send to the soldiers that would provide nutrition and keep for a long time. They were originally called “Soldiers biscuits” but after Gallipoli the name was changed to Anzac biscuits. Anzacs are an Aussie favorite – They are are great tasting and easy to make.

* Recipe for Anzac Biscuits

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup coconut
• 125g (4oz) butter
• 2 tablespoons golden syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tablespoon boiling water

1) Combine oats, sifted flour, sugar and coconut.
2) Combine butter and golden syrup, stir over gentle heat in a small saucepan until melted.
3) Mix bicarbonate of soda with boiling water in a teacup. Add to melted butter mixture. Pour into dry ingredients and stir.
4) Place tablespoonfuls of mixture on oven trays (for easy cleanup place a piece of baking paper on the tray)
5) Cook in a slow oven for 15-20 minutes. Makes about 35.
6) Try and stop your family eating them while they are still warm and soft.
Once they are cool they will go harder and you can store them in a container.