Anzac Day ― Date, History, and Details
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History of Anzac Day and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in war and other operations for their countries. The day is also observed in other countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Turkey.
Anzac Day was first observed on 25 April 1915, the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, during World War I. The landings were intended to secure the Ottoman Empire’s capital of Constantinople (now Istanbul) from German and Austro-Hungarian forces, but the troops became bogged down in a bloody and protracted stalemate. More than 8,000 Australian and over 2,000 New Zealand soldiers were killed in the campaign.
Despite the ultimate failure of the Gallipoli campaign, the bravery and sacrifice of the Anzacs was widely celebrated in Australia and New Zealand, and 25 April quickly became a day of national remembrance and pride. Anzac Day ceremonies are now held across both countries, often involving public marches and services of remembrance. Wreaths are laid at war memorials, and the day ends with a minute’s silence at 11pm, the time when the armistice that ended World War I came into effect.