National day
On 25 April, Australians gather before sunrise for dawn services, watch marches and pause to remember all those who have served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Photo: Troy Mortier / Unsplash
25 April every year
Across Australia, at war memorials, cenotaphs and town centres.
Attend a dawn service, watch a march, wear a sprig of rosemary or a poppy and keep a minute’s silence.
Lest we forget: the words said at the end of the Ode of Remembrance
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand. ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers landed at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire on 25 April 1915, during the First World War. The campaign lasted eight months and both sides suffered heavy losses. The date was officially named Anzac Day in 1916. Today it remembers all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
Many people begin the day at a dawn service, held before sunrise at memorials across the country. A bugler plays the “Last Post”, a verse of Laurence Binyon’s poem “For the Fallen”, known as the Ode, is recited, and the crowd answers “Lest we forget”. Later in the morning, veterans and their families march through city and town centres while people line the streets. A National Ceremony is held at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, with wreath laying, hymns, a minute’s silence and the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand. People often wear a sprig of rosemary or a red poppy, and families place poppies beside the names of relatives on the Memorial’s Roll of Honour. In the afternoon, veterans often meet at clubs, where the traditional coin game two-up is played; in most states it is only legal on Anzac Day. Commemorations vary by town and family.
For many families, Anzac Day is a time to share stories of relatives who served and to reflect on peace.
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Dawn services are solemn, so arrive early, dress warmly, keep quiet and switch off your phone during the Last Post and the minute’s silence. Roads close for marches in many city centres. Many shops open later on Anzac Day morning.
Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, the soldiers who landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.
A ceremony held before sunrise on 25 April, with the Last Post, the Ode of Remembrance and a minute’s silence.
Sprigs of rosemary, like red poppies, are worn on lapels as a symbol of remembrance.
