The meaning of ANZAC?

During the war the legend of ANZAC became the proud possession of all in the AIF and most Australians. Since then, the anniversary of 25 April 1915 has been commemorated each year as ANZAC Day.

The first ANZAC Day was conducted in 1916. The troops observed it in various ways, and in London large crowds watched 2,000 Australians and New Zealanders march to Westminster Abbey. In Australia there was strong support for the day, with between 60,000 and 100,000 people packing the Domain in Sydney for a service.

By 1925 huge ANZAC Day marches were being conducted in all the main cities. Smaller places had their own observances. Most states marked the day with a public holiday, and within two years they all did. Second World War ex-servicemen, and later others, accepted ANZAC Day as theirs too. In immediate post-war years they swelled the numbers of veterans marching.

In 1990 a few ageing Gallipoli veterans, accompanied by the Prime Minister, went back to Turkey for the 75th anniversary of the landing. Australians watched emotionally as a handful of representatives of a near vanished army received their salute.

Ninety years on, there are no longer any living survivors of the campaign, but the parades, services and rituals of ANZAC Day have survived, and some have expanded. Large crowds now go to Gallipoli each year. The legend of ANZAC remains relevant to many Australians.

The word “ANZAC”, howeve, has different meanings for different people, and so remains open to interpretation.

Below is what ANZAC means to some people. Tell us what ANZAC means to you.

Jerod Pritchard says:

i think anzac is the rememberance day for all those who fought and died for australia in WW1 and WW2
14 May 2008

simon says:

I think that anzac day means to remember the people who went to war and fought for us
12 May 2008

E says:

The event that changed the course of our future
11 May 2008

chloe says:

I think ANZAC is a bout commemorating the people who fought in war. The Australians and the New Zealand army people were riscking their lives for us Australians in Gallipoli. by Chloe .Geenen RPS
07 May 2008

Teresha says:

I think Anzac Day is to commemorate them people who fought and risked their lives to save their country. I also think it is to march for hte people who died. By:Teresha RPS
07 May 2008

coen says:

I think Anzac day is about remembering the soldiers who faught and died.The Anzac soldiers risked there lives for Australia and their people(Lest we forget). by coen R.P.S.
07 May 2008

Maddison says:

I think Anzac Day is to commemorate the people who died in the war for us. To respect the people who died in the war we need to have a one minute silence. By Maddison RPS
07 May 2008

leigh says:

I think Anzac Day is to commemorate the soldiers who fought in the war. The word ANZAC means Australian and New Zealand New Zealand Army Corps. By leigh RPS
07 May 2008

Alex says:

I think Anzac Day is about protecting our land .Anzacs are very brave to go to World War One and fight and that is why i commemorate Anzac Day.
07 May 2008

KitKat says:

i think anzac day is a special day in our lives when we remember the people who fought for our country. Anzac day is not a celebration it is an emotianal DAY!!!
03 May 2008

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