On the 25th of April each year, Australians commemorate Anzac Day. It was first created to honour the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli during World War One. Nowadays, the commemoration is for all veterans.
Attend your local Dawn Service…
On Anzac Day, Dawn Services are held across the country. They start early, at around 5:30 am, the time of the landing in Gallipoli. It’s a ceremony to remember those who have fallen.
It’s often followed by a Gunfire Breakfast in RSL clubs, a simple BBQ with sausages, bread rolls, eggs and sometimes, coffee washed down with rum. The name refers to the breakfast eaten by soldiers the morning before a battle.
And your local Anzac Day March
Flag bearers take part in the ANZAC Day March in Sydney on Tuesday, April 25, 2017. Source: AAP
"There are very few Second World War veterans left today and those who are, are well into their 90s. But obviously, there are veterans from subsequent conflicts like Korea and Vietnam, and more modern conflicts like Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq where Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen have served,” explains Brian Wilson, from the Australian War Memorial.
“ There are also overseas contingents, those who've fought in other wars and have come to Australia."
Where to go?
The annual Anzac Day march at the Shrine of Remembrance on April 25, 2013 in Melbourne. Source: Getty
The Dawn Services, Gunfire Breakfasts and Marches are organised by so the best way to know what’s going on in your area is to contact them.
Veterans and their family will often spend the day at their local RSL. It’s a good place to play which you can only legally play on Anzac Day. It’s simple: coins are tossed in the air and players bet if they’ll fall with both heads up, both tails up or with on head up and on tail up.
The symbols of Anzac Day
The poppy goes into the ground on ANZAC Day and bursts out of it for the commemoration of Armistice, of which it is a well-known symbol. Source: Getty
The red poppy is a European native flower that bloomed on battlefields after World War One. It has become a symbol of remembrance of the Australian soldiers who have fallen.
You can also prepare one of the Anzac Day symbols yourself, the , made from rolled oats and golden syrup.
Anzac biscuits
Nothing beats an Aussie icon, and Anzac biscuits are certainly that.
Learn more about Anzac Day
The has more information about Anzac Day and Australia’s Military history. You can also , in Canberra. Some of the exhibitions are translated into several languages.
