Anzac Day 2025

Thursday, 24 April 2025

Origins 

On the 25th of April 1915 Australian and New Zealand troops joined the Allied forces in an ambitious campaign to capture the Gallipoli peninsula. These soldiers, who came to be known as Anzacs, wore their name with immense pride—a legacy that endures to this day. 

Upon landing at Gallipoli, the Anzacs faced formidable resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What was intended as a swift operation to force Turkey out of the war soon turned into a relentless standoff, with the campaign dragging on for eight challenging months. 

By the end of 1915, the Allied forces were compelled to withdraw. The toll was devastating, with heavy casualties and immense suffering on both sides. Among them, over 8,000 Australian soldiers lost their lives, leaving behind a legacy of sacrifice and resilience. 

Anzac Day falls on the 25th of April each year; it was officially named Anzac Day in 1916. 

Commemoration and traditions 

Anzac Day is primarily observed in Australia and New Zealand through Dawn Services, marches, and remembrance ceremonies. These gatherings take place at war memorials both within the two nations and at significant sites abroad, such as Gallipoli in Turkey and Villers-Bretonneux in France. As part of the traditions, Australians and New Zealanders often wear a sprig of rosemary, prepare Anzac biscuits, and occasionally partake in a "gunfire breakfast," honouring the spirit of the day. 

 Dawn Services are a formal, commemorative service held at dawn, the time of the original landing at Gallipoli. A typical Anzac Day Dawn Service ceremony may include an introduction, hymn, prayer, an address, laying of wreaths, a recitation, the playing of the “Last Post”, a period of silence, and the national anthem. 

 Marches occur later in the day with current and former servicemen and women and their families taking part for the public to attend. 

 Rosemary is a symbol of remembrance and is traditionally worn pinned to lapels of medals. 

 Gunfire Breakfast is a communal event held to mark the beginning of the day, sometimes with gunfire to start the meal. 

 Two-Up is a gambling game often played on Anzac Day, a popular pastime for soldiers in the trenches during the war. 

 

History of the Anzac Biscuit 

During World War I, families and friends sent food to soldiers on the front lines. Given the lengthy delivery times, they needed to send items that could stay fresh for extended periods and offered substantial nutritional value. The Anzac biscuit was created to meet this need. 

Originally called the Soldiers' Biscuit, it was later renamed the Anzac Biscuit, reflecting Australia's commitment to preserving the Anzac tradition and its role as a staple food during the Gallipoli campaign. 

Today, the Anzac biscuit holds a special place in Australian culture. It is one of the few products permitted to use the word 'Anzac,' which is safeguarded by Federal Legislation.