What is Anzac Day?

Anzac Day is the day that people in New Zealand and Australia remember those
who have served, or are serving their country in War.

ANZAC stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps.

 When is Anzac Day?
Anzac Day is observed on the 25th of April.
This is the Anniversary of when the ANZAC soldiers landed in Gallipoli, Turkey
during World War 1 in 1915.
WW1 in Gallipoli
Gallipoli is a region of Turkey. The ANZACs went to Gallipoli to help the British
fight against the Turkish. The boats carrying the soldiers landed at the wrong
place; there were steep cliffs instead of a flat beach. This made it difficult for the
soldiers to advance*.The ANZACs fought hard for 8 months but they were
defeated. Thousands of men lost their lives and were wounded.

*move forward
 The Anzac Defeat
Even though the ANZACs were defeated at Gallipoli, this landing is important to
New Zealanders and Australians because as nations, we are proud of the bravery,
courage and perseverance of the ANZACs. This was also the beginning of a
special ‘mateship’ between New Zealand and Australia.

Photo courtesy of Named Faces from the Past (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution
 How do we observe Anzac Day?
In New Zealand we wear poppies to remember war servicemen and women.

Poppies are a symbol of remembrance all over the world. Poppies were the first
plants to grow in the mud after the war in Flanders Field. This connection was
made famous in this poem:
Photo courtesy of petercastleton (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Photo courtesy of Gerwin Filius (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution
 How do we observe Anzac Day?
In New Zealand we have Dawn Services.
A Dawn Service is held at dawn because this is when the soldiers arrived at
Gallipoli. Dawn is also the best time to attack the enemy.
Dawn Services are like military funerals.
People gather together to remember past and present servicemen and women.
Many people wear their uniforms and medals, or medals of their ancestors.
The fourth verse of Laurence Binyon's ‘For the Fallen’ is often said.
The Last Post is played, it is a bugle call that is played at the end of the day at
war, at funerals and at Anzac ceremonies.
 Fourth Verse of Laurence Binyon’s
‘For the Fallen’
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 
At the going down of the sun and in the morning 
We will remember them.

Photo courtesy of State Library of South Australia (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution
 How do we observe Anzac Day?

In New Zealand we have Anzac Parades.

An Anzac Parade is when servicemen and women march together with other
community groups like Scouts, Girl Guides, Red Cross and Schools.
The servicemen and women wear their uniforms and medals. They carry flags and
banners.
They march to war memorials, where there are speeches. Poppies and wreaths are
placed on the memorial.
Photo courtesy of Edwin Lee (@flickr.com) - granted under creative commons licence – attribution
 How do we observe Anzac Day?
In New Zealand we bake and eat Anzac biscuits.
During World War 1, women from New Zealand and Australia used to send
biscuits to the soldiers. They are now known as Anzac biscuits.
Anzac biscuits were hard and long lasting so they could still be eaten after being
sent on a long journey to the soldiers.
Some soldiers crumbled Anzac biscuits and mixed them with water and ate them
like porridge.
Women also sold biscuits at galas and parades to raise money for the war. These
biscuits had similar ingredients to the ones we eat today.