Anzac Day - History, Traditions, and Facts

Photo by City of Perth

What is Anzac Day?

Anzac Day falls on the 25th of April ever year, and is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand. It commemorates all Australian and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations."

What does ANZAC stand for? 

ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which was a group of soldiers who fought during World War I.

What is the history behind Anzac Day?

Anzac Day was created to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served in the Gallipoli campaign in the first world war. The date represents the 25th April 1915, which is when the expedition to capture the Gallipoli peninsula began. However, they were met with fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders, and the campaign stretched on for 8 months before the allied forces were evacuated from the peninsula. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed.

The Gallipoli campaign had a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who died in the war.

Anzac Day events:

There are a few events held in Perth to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the ANZACs, including dawn services, parades, and other events.

The half-light of dawn was the time of the original landing in Gallipoli. Now, to remember those who were lost, Dawn Services are held across Australia on Anzac Day at dawn. A typical Anzac Day dawn service may include:

• An introduction

• Hymn

• Prayer

• An address

• Laying of wreaths

• A recitation

• A period of silence

• The national anthem

Here are some events happening this Anzac Day in Perth:

• Dawn Service

  • Time: 5.45am - 7am

  • Location: State War Memorial, Kings Park

• Gunfire Breakfast

  • Time: 7am - 9am

  • Location: Government House Gardens

• Perth City Anzac Day Parade

  • Time: 9am - 10.30am

  • Location: St Georges Terrace, Perth

• Sunset Service

  • Time: 5pm

  • Location: Flame of Remembrance, Kings Park

Significance of the Red Poppies

Red poppies are a symbol for remembrance of those who died or suffered in wars. They are the prominent symbol of both Anzac Day in April, and Remembrance Day in November.

They are a symbol of the blood spilled on the battlefields during WWI. They are also a symbol of hope, as the poppies were among the first flowers to bloom in the devastated landscapes of France and Belgium after the war.

History of the Anzac Biscuit

The popular Australian treat, the Anzac Biscuit, was originally made to send to the ANZACs during the war. Friends and families sent food to the soldiers, but since it took a long time to be delivered to the front lines, they needed to send food that would stay edible for extended periods and still provide high nutritional value. So the Anzac biscuit was created, but it was called the Solders' Biscuit back then.

The basic ingredients of the biscuit are:

• Rolled oats

• Sugar

• Plain flour

• Coconut

• Butter

• Golden syrup

• Bi-carbonate of soda

• Boiling water

You can buy Anzac biscuits in most supermarkets in Perth year-round, so if you've never tried them, why not buy some this Anzac day?

Interesting Facts about Anzac Day

• Anzac biscuits were traditionally square, and were often so hard that some soldiers were said to have broken their teeth on them!

• The last surviving Anzac, Alec Campbell, died in 2002. He joined the army at age 16 in 1915 and served as a stores career for two months during the fighting at Gallipoli.

• All ANZACs were volunteers. Conscription was not introduced in Australia, so all the Australians who fought in WWI volunteered for service.

This blog post is the intellectual property of StudyPerth and is being used on this site solely as a representation of my work.