This April 25, Australia and New Zealand will be celebrating an annual holiday called Anzac Day. This public holiday is one of the most important ones in The Oz. It was first commemorated in 1916, and the traditions tied to this date live on until today.

If you are a student in Australia, understanding Anzac Day will help you root deeper into Australian history and culture.

What is Anzac Day?

April 25 marks the first major military battle in World War I fought by Australia and New Zealand. The day commemorates the soldiers who risked their lives in the battle.

What does “Anzac” mean?

Anzac is the acronym-turned-proper-noun for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. This term was first used in World War I and still brings pride to soldiers today.

What is the significance of Anzac Day?

When the Anzac forces landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey on 25 April 1915,  the soldiers’ bravery brought great honor to the continent. What was meant to be a short military campaign turned into a long battle in Gallipoli. Anzac Day honors the bravery and patriotism of the soldiers.

How is Anzac Day celebrated?

On the 25th of April, many Australians attend an Anzac Day Dawn Service in their city or town. The Anzac soldiers arrived at Gallipoli in dawn, so the memorial commences at this time. There are ceremonies conducted at war memorials that are televised in both Australia and New Zealand.

The Last Post is played on the bugle as a commemorative song. This piece signifies the day’s end during war and is often played in military funerals as a final farewell.

The red poppy is a popular symbol of Anzac Day. These flowers were first to bloom in the French and Belgian battlefields after World War I.

Because of the Corona virus, public celebrations of Anzac day are held off this 2020. However, many families plan to honor the soldiers in their own driveways by having their own dawn service and playing The Last Post.

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Sources:

Anzac Day 2020: Australians set to embrace Driveway Dawn Service – www.dailytelegraph.com.au/coronavirus/anzac-day-2020-schoolboy-benjamin-su-to-sound-the-last-post-from-the-and-of-his-street/news-story/1b80817f44d266c3864f553960c5d787

ANZAC Day 2020 – Lest We Forget – www.2st.com.au/community/anzac-day-2020-lest-we-forget