ANZAC Day in Australia
When is ANZAC Day in Australia?
ANZAC Day in Australia is on April 25, 2025. It falls on Friday.
How many days until ANZAC Day in Australia?
There are 364 Days left until ANZAC Day in Australia.
Is ANZAC Day a public holiday in Australia?
ANZAC Day, which stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day, is an annual national observance in Australia. It is a public holiday in Australia and is observed every 25th day of April in each year. This holiday is said to be Australia’s most important and valued national holiday in the country.
Australian and New Zealand Army Corps Day is commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of the first key military action where Australia and New Zealand joined force and is allied during the first world war. The holiday is solemnly commemorated to remember the life of Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought and died for the country’s freedom. Since ANZAC Day is a public holiday, schools are closed and most businesses, organizations, establishments, and banks are closed.
ANZAC Day Origin
Way back April 25th of year 1915, the military forces of Australia and New Zealand joined forces for them to easily capture the Gallipoli Peninsula, a peninsula located in Turkey, for them to open the Dardanelles. The Australian and New Zealand’s soldiers was later on called as Anzacs- Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. They were known as Anzacs since the 13th day of October on year 1915. The declaration was held in Adelaide, the capital city of the South Australia state.
Common Practices during ANZAC Day in Australia
Australia's Dawn Service
Dawn Service is the early first tradition of the ANZAC Day. This is held in the Western Front by the Australian battalion and is observed every 4:30 in the dawn. This ritual is limited as to be annually participated by the veterans only. Soldiers would be woken up at 4:30am intentionally for the purpose that before the sun rays, they are all ready and positioned. The tradition is done to concur the actual time of the arrival of the Anzacs to the Gallipoli Peninsula and to recall their routine “stand-to” of their war service.
Gunfire Breakfast
Following the Dawn Service, many of them serve gunfire breakfast in accordance of their tradition. Gunfire is an early cup of tea served to the veterans back then, but the dishes nowadays being served include coffee, rum, sausage, stew, bread, egg, and bacon. Gunfire Breakfast is offered to them before participating the Veteran’s March. In addition, Anzac Biscuits are also eaten during the holiday. The biscuit may also be known as an Anzac Wafer or tile. This was previously called as Soldiers’ Biscuit, but it was changed due to the naming of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. This is currently popular in Australia and New Zealand.
Veteran's March
The national ceremony of ANZAC Day includes the Veteran’s March. It is the focal point in celebrating the holiday. Coming up from the small cities up to the small towns, the march was originally done during the Great War which then became well – known in 1920s amidst the veterans. The RSL, Returned and Services League of Australia, were the ones who organize the march. Only veterans were allowed look at the active service in the marching at first, but later on, people who served Australia in the land armies during the Second World War, the children, the grandchildren, and the great – grandchildren were acknowledged too since they would partly serve as an assistance for those aged veterans. Former armies are allowed to participate the march as well.
Follow-on and Two-Up Game
Proceeding from the Veteran’s March, this is usually followed by a reunion and a lunch organized by some establishments. In the next hours, the place would be filled with fun since they would play this traditional gambling game called “Follow-on and two-up”. This gambling game is only legalized during the Anzac Day. Any people of legal age can partake on this gambling game.
Putting of Medals
Putting of medals are also observed during the ANZAC Day. People who received medals by their own would pin their medals on their left part of the chest. To those who did not got the chance to earn medals, they may solemnize the service of the relative by wearing medals on the right part of their chest. A lot of veterans are also seen wearing medals in both parts of their chest, their own medal on the left and their relative’s medal on the right. Some would also wear Rosemarie’s. A rosemary is an emblem that is pinned to their coat (doesn’t matter if on the right or the left side of the coat) as a sign of ANZAC Day since it grows wild on Gallipoli. Speeches are also formally stated, at the same time, laying flowers and rosemary emblem to the memorials of the cold body of the dead soldiers, are also observed during the holiday. Flowers are often left on the soldiers’ gravestones as a sign of paying honor and respect.
Anzac Day's Last Post
To end ANZAC Day, The Last Post is typically the last activity observed on this day. The ‘Last Post’ is a bugle call, or a large tune played as a marking end of the day or the final post. Hearing this is a sign that the veterans could now take their rest after a long day of celebration. This is also often played in the memorials of the soldiers as a way of saying that they did a great fight, and that they could now finally rest in peace.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 25 | Friday | ANZAC Day |
| 2026 | April 25 | Saturday | ANZAC Day |
| 2027 | April 25 | Sunday | ANZAC Day |
| 2028 | April 25 | Tuesday | ANZAC Day |
| 2029 | April 25 | Wednesday | ANZAC Day |
| 2030 | April 25 | Thursday | ANZAC Day |
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Queen's Birthday | June 10, 2024 |
| Christmas Eve | December 24, 2024 |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2024 |
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