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Facts about Anzac Day
1 – Anzac Day is a National Day of Remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that commemorate the members of their armed forces who served or died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
2 – The date marks the anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli during World War I when Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers first came ashore on April 25th 1915.
3 – The word “Anzac” comes from the acronym for Australian and New Zealander Army Corps.
4 – It was originally known as ‘The Day of National Observance’ but became more commonly known as ‘Anzac Day’ after it began to be commemorated by both countries on April 25th each year.
5 – In 1916 King George V declared it an official British Empire commemoration day to honour those who fought in World War I.
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6 – Australians observe a one minute silence at 11am every ANZAC Day.
7 – There are many events to commemorate this day including dawn services, marches, wreath-laying ceremonies, or dinners to honour fallen soldiers.
8 – Australians and New Zealanders observe this day as an opportunity to remember all those who served their country in war and peace, including those who died or suffered injury while serving overseas or on home soil.
9 – After the service there is often an act of remembrance which includes two minutes silence followed by the playing of “the Last Post” and “Reveille” played by bugles or trumpets on military bases around Australia.
10 – Originally it was only observed by members of the armed forces, but has since been extended to include civilians as well.
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11 – There are many ways to celebrate ANZAC Day – some people go out into nature with friends or family members while others attend a ceremony at their local RSL club. Some people wear a poppy pin as a sign of remembrance while others plant poppies in gardens or fields as part of the “Poppy Appeal” campaign.
12 – There are also marches through major cities to commemorate fallen soldiers on this day. People wear medals of veterans as part of the commemoration ceremony
13 – The date was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by ANZAC troops at Gallipoli, Turkey, during World War I.
14 – It has since become one of the most significant days for both countries, though it also serves to commemorate all those who served or died on active service with Commonwealth forces in war or peacekeeping operations.
15 – A typical observance includes two minutes silence at 11am, a church service, an outdoor memorial event such as a march past or parade, speeches from dignitaries including veterans’ representatives.
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16 – Other activities may include wreath-laying ceremonies at war cemeteries or other memorials; parades through streets with marching bands playing solemn music; flying flags half-mast until after sunset on this date; laying lilies around monuments before dawn on this date.
17 – The tradition of wearing a poppy has been around since the end of WWI, when it became an international symbol of people remembering those who died in war.
18 – There are many different symbols that represent Anzac Day, such as red poppies, which symbolize blood shed by soldiers; white crosses on graves; and the ANZAC badge with its legend “One Country One Flag.”
19 – In Australia, it is also commemorated as “the most significant national occasion” with marches taking place across the country; while there are smaller services throughout New Zealand.
20 – More than 100,000 men served with ANZACs at Gallipoli against Turkish forces between 1915-1916.
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21 – Originally called Armistice Day or “The Day of National Observance”, Anzac Day replaced it as a result of an agreement between two world wars veterans associations in Sydney.
22 – The term “Anzac” was first used for this purpose on 1 August 1917 when it was chosen by Lieutenant General Sir John Monash as the title of his memo written to document lessons learned from the Battle of Hamel.
23 – Today’s usage dates back to 1930 when Mr Frank Wilkins came up with an idea to use “Anzac” for fundraising efforts through Legacy Australia after he attended a Dawn Service at Villers-Bretonneux on Anzac Day 1929.
24 – In 1931 Dame Pauline Clarke suggested that people should wear poppies instead of paper flowers because they last longer.
25 – In Australia, dawn service takes place at 5am while dusk service begins at 4pm.
ANZAC Day was first marked on April 25th 1916 by two returned soldiers – Lieutenant Colonel William Dyce Hughes and Major James George Lawson.
