Celebrating My First ANZAC Day in Australia

Apr 25, 2017
2 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Today, I got to celebrate my first Australian public holiday: ANZAC Day! Scroll down to learn more about what ANZAC Day is all about.

What is ANZAC Day?

ANZAC Day, observed on April 25, is one of Australia's most important national holidays. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I.

ANZAC Day is similar to Veterans Day and Memorial Day in the United States. Like those holidays, it is a day to honor those who have served and sacrificed in the military. Schools, government offices, and many businesses close for the day, so I had the day off from university to observe the holiday.

What Does ANZAC Stand For?

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

The soldiers who served in these forces quickly became known as "Anzacs," and the pride associated with that name continues to this day. ANZAC has become a symbol of courage, sacrifice, endurance, and mateship, values that remain an important part of Australian and New Zealand identity.

Why is ANZAC Day Special to Australians?

When World War I broke out in 1914, Australia had only been a federated nation for 13 years. As part of the British Empire, Australia automatically entered the war when Great Britain declared war on Germany.

In 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers joined an Allied expedition to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula in present-day Turkey. The goal was to open the Dardanelles Strait to Allied naval forces and ultimately capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, which was allied with Germany.

Australian and New Zealand forces landed at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915, where they faced fierce resistance from Ottoman troops. What was intended to be a swift military campaign quickly turned into a long and difficult battle that lasted for eight months.

By the end of the campaign, the Allied forces were evacuated, having suffered significant casualties and hardships. More than 8,000 Australian soldiers lost their lives at Gallipoli. The campaign had a profound impact on Australia and helped shape the nation's identity. As a result, April 25 became a day of remembrance for those who served and died in war.

What Does ANZAC Day Mean Today?

Today, Australians observe ANZAC Day as a national day of remembrance and reflection.

The day typically begins with Dawn Services, which are held across the country at the same time of day as the original Gallipoli landing. These ceremonies honor those who served and sacrificed in military conflicts.

Later in the day, veterans, active service members, and their families participate in commemorative marches through major cities and towns across Australia. Additional memorial services are held at war memorials and community gathering places.

ANZAC Day serves as a time for Australians to remember the sacrifices made by past and present service members, reflect on the impact of war, and recognize the values of courage, resilience, and service that continue to shape the nation today.

Celebrating my first ANZAC Day gave me a better understanding of Australian history and culture. It was interesting to see how important the day is to Australians and how communities come together to honor those who have served their country.