In Australia and New Zealand, Anzac Day is full of national pride and heartfelt commemoration. That same spirit extends to anywhere in the world where descendants of those who participated in the original historic ANZAC event have migrated. You might be one of the millions preparing for this year's celebration already.
Whether you have Australian and New Zealand heritage or just want to learn more about Anzac Day, here is a brief overview of a historical event that might help you more closely identify with members of your family tree in new ways.
(Image attribution: Chris Phutully from Australia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
What Is Anzac Day?
Anzac Day is a national holiday in New Zealand and Australia set aside to honor veterans and military personnel, particularly to remember those who died in combat. For many Australians and New Zealanders, it’s a solemn day of remembrance and reflection.
What Does ANZAC Stand For?
ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The term refers to the group that formed when Australia and New Zealand entered World War I in 1915. The soldiers, known as Anzacs, joined the Gallipoli Campaign in an attempt to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey and weaken the Ottoman Empire.
Its easy pronunciation as a word, the acronym ANZAC, became quickly adapted as a noun by all who had reason to use it in everyday speech. The Australian Protection of the Word Anzac Act of 1920 further legitimized the term as a proper noun.
When Is Anzac Day?
Anzac Day is officially observed on April 25th every year in Australia and New Zealand, and unofficially observed by those in other parts of the world who honor the fallen warriors of their shared heritage. The anniversary falls on the date of the Gallipoli Campaign, which marked the first major casualties in WWI for Australia and New Zealand.
What Is the History of Anzac Day?
Anzac Day was first introduced in 1916 on the anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign. The soldiers arrived at the peninsula at dawn on the morning of April 25, 1915, and remained there for 8 months. In the end, roughly 8,700 Australians and around 2,700 New Zealanders lost their lives in the conflict. The casualties were significant for both countries, and April 25th came to represent the losses suffered throughout WWI.
When World War II rolled around, nearly 30 years later, Anzac Day started to take on a broader meaning. The sacrifices soldiers made were once again a real and tangible loss, and Anzac Day evolved to represent the soldiers and losses in every war.
Today, Anzac Day is still an important day in both countries. Commemorations and services are held every year, including national ceremonies and local events alike.
How Can You Celebrate Anzac Day?
Do you have ancestors from Australia or New Zealand? Learning about their histories and traditions can help you understand your own story. If your ancestors served in the military, their stories may have shaped your family’s history.
Even if you don’t have the personal connection of veterans in your family, the service of military members has shaped the world throughout history. Anzac Day is a great opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made in war. Here are a few ways you can celebrate:
- Attend a dawn service. The Anzacs first started landing on the Gallipoli peninsula at dawn, so dawn services are common. Services often include moments of silence, hymns, prayers, and the laying of wreaths.
- Share the stories of your military relatives. Honor and remember your military relatives by recording their stories and sharing them with others.
- Watch the national ceremony. Australia holds a national ceremony every year at the Australian War Memorial. The ceremony incorporates the national anthems of both Australia and New Zealand.
- Attend a march. Veterans join together on Anzac Day to march in honor of the soldiers who perished in battle.
- Visit military memorials and cemeteries. Find memorials and cemeteries near you. While you’re there, lay a wreath or take photos for Find a Grave to honor the military members laid to rest.
- Wear a poppy. Red poppies are symbolic of war and soldiers lost all around the world. You can often find real or paper poppies to wear in honor of soldiers around Anzac Day.
- Wear rosemary. Rosemary grows in the Gallipoli peninsula, so it has come to represent the sacrifices made there.
- Explore military records. Learn about service members and their stories by exploring military records from Australia and New Zealand.
- Make an Anzac Day biscuit. Families often sent care packages to the soldiers serving in the Gallipoli Campaign, and Anzac Day biscuits were often included for their long shelf lives. Try this recipe.
