ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
Anzac Day falls on the 25th of April each year. The 25th of April was officially named Anzac Day in 1916.
On the 25th of April 1915, Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These became known as Anzacs and the pride they took in that name continues to this day.
The Anzacs landed on Gallipoli and met fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. Their plan to knock Türkiye out of the war quickly became a stalemate and the campaign dragged on for eight months.
At the end of 1915, the allied forces were evacuated. Both sides suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed.
The meaning of Anzac Day today includes the remembrance of all Australians killed in military operations.
Commemoration
Commemorative services are held at war memorials at dawn – the time of the original landing in Gallipoli. Later in the day, current and former servicemen and women meet to take part in marches.
A typical Anzac Day Dawn Service ceremony may include:
- an introduction
- hymn
- prayer
- an address
- laying of wreaths
- a recitation
- the Last Post
- a period of silence
- the Rouse or the Reveille
- the national anthem.
The Anzac Biscuit
During World War One, friends and families sent food to the fighting men. Due to the time delays in getting food items to the front lines, they had to send food that would remain edible for long periods of time and retained high nutritional value. The Anzac biscuit met this need.
The biscuit was first known as the Soldiers’ Biscuit. The current name, Anzac Biscuit, has as much to do with Australia’s desire to recognise the Anzac tradition and the Anzac biscuit as part of the staple diet at Gallipoli.
The Anzac biscuit is one of the few commodities that are able to be legally marketed in Australia using the word ‘Anzac’, which is protected by Federal Legislation.
Although there are variations, the basic ingredients are:
- rolled oats
- sugar
- plain flour
- coconut
- butter
- golden syrup or treacle
- bi-carbonate of soda
- boiling water.