Anzac Day

April 25th every year is considered as Anzac Day since 1916; however, the first time was on April 30th in 1915.

History of Anzac Day

ANZAC Day of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on the Gallipoli Peninsula is a holiday established since 1915 during World War I. The Allies attempted to wrest control of the strategic Dardanelles from Turkey, allied with the Central Powers, in the so-called Dardanelles Campaign, which began in February 1915. ANZAC forces landed on the 25th. April and secured a locomotive at what became known as ANZAC Cove, on the Aegean side of the peninsula. Despite attacks by other armies, the Allies were still unable to capture the strait, and they suffered enormous losses from battle and disease. By December 1915, Allied troops, including ANZAC forces, had been withdrawn. However, the ANZAC troops were renowned for their bravery, and they subsequently served with distinction in France and in the Middle East. Because of the separation of Australian and New Zealand forces, there was not existence of ANZAC in 1917.

In 1920, ANZAC Day, an official holiday aimed to honor people who took part in the Dardanelles Campaign in Australia and New Zealand. It has become a day of remembrance honoring all people who served and died in World Wars I and II as well as in the Korean and Vietnam wars. This holiday includes religious services, parades and ceremonies for veterans to be take part in.

How to celebrate Anzac Day

• There was a memorial at the Los Angeles National Cemetery that was established by the Consulate Generals of New Zealand and Australia.
• Southern California was estimated to be the largest expat community of New Zealanders and Australians in 2001.
• In San Francisco, there was an 11am service at the Log Cabin in the Presidio on the nearest Sunday, April 25th. There were attentions of authorities of some countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, the United States and the United Kingdom.
• In Santa Barbara, California, the Australian and New Zealand community in foreign always remembered Anzac Day. Although there is not an official memorial of World War I, a number of dignitaries from many countries including Australia, New Zealand and the US will attend a morning ceremony at the Walk Elings Park Veterans Memorial on April 25th each year.
• In New York City, there were two memorials. Firstly, the main memorial service at dawn was hosted by the Consul Generals of Australia and New Zealand at the Vietnam Veterans Center. The second one is a memorial in the roof garden at Rockefeller Center British Empire Building at Rockefeller Plaza celebrated on Sunday. It is an annual celebration in this locality since 1950.
• Militaries and women still celebrated Anzac Day at dawn of the Korean War Veterans Memorial on April 25th in Washington, Australian and New Zealand. In Honolulu, the Marines held an Anzac Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known as "The Punchbowl".
• You can take part in a ceremony that is organized by the senior Australian liaison officer at the Fort Rucker on this holiday every year.
• This holiday was also celebrated in some areas such as Bloomington (Indiana), Boston, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Leonard Wood, Houston, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, San Diego and Seattle.