ANZAC Day is a day we remember and honour all Australians who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations around the world, including the ANZACs (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I. Source
Perhaps to many others, this is just another Public Holiday and many would treat this as a day of rest, as it's right smack in the middle of the week (this year).
Why is this day special to Australians?
"On the morning of 25 April 1915, the Anzacs set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, and an ally of Germany.
The Anzacs landed on Gallipoli and met fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. Their plan to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months.
At the end of 1915, the allied forces were evacuated. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing on Gallipoli and the events that followed had a profound impact on Australians at home. The 25th of April soon became the day on which Australians remember the sacrifice of those who had died in the war.
The Anzacs were courageous and although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy." Source
Dawn Service at the Shrine of Rememberance Source
Heroic Names of the fallen at the Shrine of Rememberance Source
Here are 21 ANZAC Day Facts that you may not know about.
As for me, when I first came to Australia as an international student way back in 1991... all I knew about ANZAC was the famous ANZAC biscuits...
They were really YUMMY, crunchy golden treats...that I would sometimes dunk in Cold Milk! :)
"During World War One, the friends and families of soldiers and community groups sent food to the fighting men. Due to the time delays in getting food items to the front lines, they had to send food that would remain edible, without refrigeration, for long periods of time that retained high nutritional value; the Anzac biscuit met this need.
Although there are variations, the basic ingredients are: rolled oats, sugar, plain flour, coconut, butter, golden syrup or treacle, bi-carbonate of soda, and boiling water.
The biscuit was first known as the Soldiers’ Biscuit. The current name, Anzac Biscuit, has as much to do with Australia’s desire to recognise the Anzac tradition and the Anzac biscuit as part of the staple diet at Gallipoli." Source
Whatever your memory is... let us not forget the real reason on ANZAC.
Today, I am thankful that there were so many brave young men who would go off to war and with the thought that they might not come back. So lest we forget. I salute you and I thank you ANZACs for your sacrifice for our nation Australia.
One writer writes...
"Wednesday ideally would not be a sentimental day but it rightly will be an emotional day: of gratitude, of sorrow, of pride, even of despair. It isn’t the National Day but it is a national day, one in which every Australian has a place and all can remember service, suffering and death." Source
