ANZAC DAY Is Celebrated on 25th April Every Year!
Sunday 25th April 2021
What is ANZAC Day?
Anzac Day- a day of commemoration. This day marks the first major military battle which Australia and New Zealand fought. This day is in the memory of Australian and New Zealand forces’ struggle during World War I.
Anzac Day Meaning:
If you are wondering what do the letters in Anzac Day stand for, we have you covered. Anzac stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. This name was gifted to the Australian and New Zealand forces when they battled in the First World War. The soldiers of both countries feel proud in bearing this name till date.
When is Anzac Day?
Anzac day is observed on 25 April every year. It was observed for the first time in 1916.
Is Anzac Day a Public holiday?
Anzac Day is listed as an official national holiday and is always a day off no matter where it falls.
Why do we celebrate Anzac Day?
Another important question that comes to everyone’s mind concerning Anzac Day is “Why is Anzac Day important?” or “Why is it celebrated?” The answer to both these questions is the same. This day is dedicated to the remembrance of the sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand military personnel who have died during the war.
Anzac Day originally celebrated the forces that belonged to Australia, and New Zealand landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey on 25 April 1915 during the First World War. They were a significant part of the mission based on the capturing of Constantinople (now Istanbul), which was the capital of one of Germany’s major allies, the Ottoman Empire.
Despite the allied forces’ expectations, Gallipoli was not a quick military camp, and the battle extended significantly. During this battle, both the Australian and New Zealand troops fought bravely, and their courage and bravery are still commemorated.
Anzac Day Celebrations:
Numerous Anzac Day Traditions are famous in Australia and New Zealand regarding the celebration of this big day. The Anzac Day Ceremony and Anzac Day Parade are significantly crucial on this day.
Anzac Day Ceremony:
The Anzac day ceremony is full of numerous traditions and rituals. The ceremony is a form of military funeral and occurs in a specific pattern. It is divided into two parts—the first one at dawn and the other in the morning. The dawn service begins with a march. The returned service personal take part in the parade. Both men and women take part in it. The war veterans are honoured by giving them pride of place. After the service, a prayer, hymns and dedication are observed. This dedication is done with the fourth verse of Laurence Binyon.
Anzac Day Parade:
The Anzac Day Parade occurs in the morning when returned service personnel march behind the banners with their medals on. Other community groups, including the Red Cross, armed forces, and veterans of other countries’ forces, join the parade veterans.
Some Anzac Day Facts:
The March or parade on this day occurs differently in different regions. Some famous questions regarding the March are:
What time does the Anzac Day march start in Sydney?
In Sydney, the March starts at 9 am. This parade’s venue is Corner of Elizabeth Street and Martin Place, walking past the ANZAC Memorial at Hyde Park.
What sides do you wear medals on Anzac Day?
On this day, people are encouraged and welcomed for wearing their medals. They can wear their relatives’ medals too. But the style of wearing the medals is different. If someone is wearing his own medal, it should be wore on the left hand side of your chest. In case of relatives’ medals, they should be worn on the right-hand side.
What is the significance of the poppy on Anzac day?
The red poppy has gained popularity for being the symbol of remembrance of war and the people who sacrificed their lives. Wearing a red poppy on Anzac day symbolizes honouring those who have died in the war.
What do people eat on Anzac Day?
People usually love to eat golden meat pies, easy lemon myrtle damper, chewy choc-chip Anzac biscuits, and tempting Tim Tam lamington balls on Anzac Day.
What’s open on Anzac Day?
The grocery stores and other essentials are open on Anzac Day without any restrictions. However, retail shops need to be kept closed till 1 pm.
Who can trade on Anzac Day?
The trading hours are pretty restricted on this public holiday. However, the supermarkets are allowed to operate for 24 hours due to pandemic. This rule, however, does not apply to departmental stores.
Anzac Day Australia:
Anzac Day is a public holiday in Australia. It is not any other holiday in the country but is regarded as a pretty famous national occasion.
Anzac Day New Zealand:
Just like Australia, this day is a public holiday in New Zealand too. As it commemorates the battle of Australian and New Zealand Corps in World War I, this day is equally honourable in New Zealand.
Anzac Day Quotes:
Any National or Public holiday is incomplete without the exchange of wishes and quotes, and Anzac Day is no exception. People love to wish each other and exchange several quotes rich in the patriotic spirit.
- This is a day not of celebration but of national memory. It’s a day when we learn, and learn again, of the horror of purposeless war. It is a day for looking after your mates, cherishing your home, your neighbourhood and family. It’s a day for realising how rare this wonderful country of ours is and how precious it is.
- ANZAC Day is where we honor the memories of those brave Aussie and NZ soldiers who fought and never came home at Gallipoli 100 years ago.
- To all those unselfish heroes who have given everything for us you will never be forgotten.
- Lest we forget it is easy to be human, very hard to be humane.
- “I am extremely grateful for what the Australians did. It would have been unthinkable in Japan at the time to do that for an enemy country.”
- “Every time I hear the last post I get a lump in my throat. They gave their lives so that others may live. We will remember them.”
- “Heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives! You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.”
- At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember them. Lest we forget.
- I have so much respect for all the soldiers who have died fighting for my country. We will remember them.
- ANZAC Day is where we honor the memories of those brave Aussie and NZ soldiers who fought and never came home at Gallipoli 98 years ago.
HAPPY ANZAC DAY!