How is anzac day celebrated

Traditionally, the 25th of April is set aside as a public holiday for Australians to remember the bravery of the men and women who fought in war. Returned servicemen reunite on this day to march together as they did so long ago, to perhaps share a beer and talk of their memories, and to remember the mates they left behind. On this special day, family and friends gather together to pay tribute to the ANZACs for their courage and sacrifice during their time of war.

Many watch the war veterans march down the streets with medals polished. They may watch the parade on television or one of the many movies or documentaries dedicated to their brave ANZACs.

From dawn until dusk one day every year is given to the memory of the ANZACs, to think of them with gratitude and pride. The spirit of the ANZAC continues today in times of hardship such as cyclones, floods and bush fires. It is often suggested that the Dawn Service observed on Anzac Day has its origins in a military routine still followed by the Australian Army. The half-light of dawn was one of the times favoured for launching an attack. As dusk is equally favourable for battle, the stand-to was repeated at sunset.

After the First World War, returned soldiers sought the comradeship they had felt in those quiet, peaceful moments before dawn. A dawn vigil became the basis for commemoration in several places after the war. It is difficult to say when the first dawn services were held, as many were instigated by veterans, clergymen, and civilians from all over the country. A dawn requiem mass was held at Albany as early as , and a wreathlaying and commemoration took place at dawn in Toowoomba the following year.

In a group of returned men returning at dawn from an Anzac Day function held the night before came upon an elderly woman laying flowers at the as yet unfinished Sydney Cenotaph.

Joining her in this private remembrance, the men later resolved to institute a dawn service the following year. This is generally regarded as the beginning of organised dawn services. Over the years the ceremonies have developed into their modern forms and have seen an increased association with the dawn landings of 25 April Why is Anzac Day important?

What time is the Anzac Day service? What is there to do Anzac Day in Sydney? The march begins at 9 am at the intersection of Martin Place and Elizabeth Street. Are shops open on Anzac Day? Sign up to our newsletter Plan the trip of a lifetime. First name Email address. Sign me up. The plans did not bear fruit and what ensued was a tremendous series of battles by both sides over the next eight months. Both sides suffered horrendous casualties amongst the many ravines and gullies of that rugged battleground on which the ANZAC tradition was formed and that has become the benchmark for standards of courage, mateship and determination that has set an example for all Australians to follow.

It was with this landing that there began to emerge the tradition of ANZAC with the ideals of mateship and sacrifice that distinguish and unite all Australians irrespective of their origins.