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ANZAC Day 25th April |
gelfen
Joined: Nov 22, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Melbourne, Australia
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ANZAC Day
ANZAC Day - 25 April - is probably Australia's most important national occasion. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as ANZACs, and the pride they soon took in that name endures to this day.
When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only fourteen years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey 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 after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.
The idea that some sort of "blood sacrifice" was a necessary rite of passage or initiation ceremony in the birth of a nation was common in the late Victorian and Edwardian period. In attempting the daunting task of storming the Gallipoli peninsula the ANZACs created an event which, it was felt, would help to shape the new Australia.
With the coming of the Second World War, ANZAC Day became a day on which to commemorate the lives of Australians lost in that war as well, and in subsequent years the meaning of the day has been further broadened to include Australians killed in all the military operations in which Australia has been involved.
Australians recognise 25 April as an occasion of national commemoration. Commemorative services are held at dawn, the time of the original landing, across the nation. Later in the day ex-servicemen and women meet and join in marches through the major cities and many smaller centres. Commemorative ceremonies are held at war memorials around the country. It is a day when Australians reflect on the many different meanings of war.
For the Fallen, by Laurence Binyon
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
LEST WE FORGET
[ This Message was edited by: gelfen on 2005-04-22 07:05 ] | |
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gelfen
Joined: Nov 22, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Melbourne, Australia
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i have to say i'm a trifle disappointed at the response........
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gelfen
Joined: Nov 22, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Melbourne, Australia
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*bump*
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Oogamous
Joined: Aug 14, 2004
Posts: 401
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Hmm... ya pretty informative...
Sony all the way |
masseur
Joined: Jan 03, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Sydney, London
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I've seen a few parades and dawn services in Martins place in Sydney in the past but I wonder if there are actually any Anzacs left these days?
edit: oh... and I've played 2-up too! not that I am any good at that
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[ This Message was edited by: masseur on 2005-04-22 07:20 ] |
nitesh
Joined: Oct 08, 2004
Posts: 471
From: BOMBAY
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@gelfen if you can send me ticket to sydney i ll definately join the parade.:-).
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gelfen
Joined: Nov 22, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Melbourne, Australia
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The Last ANZAC
Alec William Campbell - 'the Last Sentinel of Gallipoli'
The last entry in the roll of honour for Gallipoli was finally made on Thursday, 16th May 2002, when Alec Campbell, the last Anzac and last surviving participant of the Gallipoli campaign, died of pneumonia, aged 103. With his loss Gallipoli ceases to be a part of living memory and has truly become, as John North referred to it, 'a country of the mind'. The flags of a nation flew at half-mast, the front pages of the major newspapers were devoted to the event, and the Prime Minister cut short a visit to China in order to attend Mr. Campbell's state funeral at St. David's Anglican Cathedral in Hobart, Tasmania.
The story of the last Anzac begins in Launceston, Tasmania, on 26th February 1899, and thus spans three centuries....*continued via the above link*
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Whomsoever you see in distress, recognize in him a fellow man
Gelfen's special place where nobody talks to him anymore 
[ This Message was edited by: gelfen on 2006-04-24 10:46 ] |
gelfen
Joined: Nov 22, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Melbourne, Australia
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*bump*
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Posted: 2004-04-26 01:47
