Anzac Day

April 25

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance. It is observed by both Australia and New Zealand. It honours the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. Nowadays, it more broadly commemorates(to honour the memory of something or someone) all those who died and served in military operations for their countries.

The date April 25 was officially named Anzac Day in 1916. In that year it was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services in Australia and New Zealand. The first year in which all the Australian states observed some form of public holiday together on Anzac Day was 1927. By the mid-1930s, all the rituals(a repeated set of actions) now associated with the day became part of Anzac Day culture.

Anzac Day commemoration features solemn(deeply serious and performed with great ceremony) "Dawn Services", a tradition started in Western Australia on 25 April 1923. Dawn Services are now held at war memorials around the country, accompanied by thoughts of those lost at war to the ceremonial sounds of The Last Post(a bugle call within British infantry regiments or a cavalry trumpet call in British cavalry). Marches by veterans(former members of the military armed forces, especially those who served during wartime) from all past wars, as well as current serving members of the Australian Defence Force and Reserves, are held nationwide. Also, there are parades in each state capital as well as sport events like the ANZAC Test, a rugby league test match, to celebrate Anzac Day.