Commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli on April 25, 1915. The day begins with solemn dawn services at war memorials across the country, followed by veterans' marches in cities and towns. It is Australia's most important national day of remembrance. The traditional game of two-up is permitted in pubs. After formal commemorations, camaraderie and mateship are celebrated, embodying the ANZAC spirit.
📜 History & Origins
ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, formed in Egypt in 1915. The first anniversary of the Gallipoli landings was marked in 1916, and ANZAC Day was established as a national day of remembrance by the mid-1920s. After a mid-century lull it was revived from the 1990s, and the homemade ANZAC biscuits sent to soldiers abroad gave the day its signature bake.
🎉 How It's Celebrated
Dawn services open with a bugler sounding The Last Post, a minute's silence, then the Reveille. The Ode from Laurence Binyon's poem, beginning 'They shall grow not old', is recited and wreaths are laid at cenotaphs. Marchers wear sprigs of rosemary for remembrance and red Flanders poppies, and a gunfire breakfast of rum-laced coffee follows the service.
🍽️ Traditional Foods
ANZAC biscuits, made from rolled oats, coconut, golden syrup, and flour with no eggs so they kept on the long sea voyage, are baked and shared. The gunfire breakfast of coffee with a tot of rum, plus meat pies at the football, completes the day's fare.
