ANZAC Day - Australia's Sacred Day
Story from Australian Connect  Website - www.acn.com.au
April 25, 2008

On 25 April every year Australians commemorate Anzac Day. It is Australia's sacred day. The day has the same significance in New Zealand, Australia's counterpart in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (the ANZACs) at Gallipoli.

What is it that Australians commemorate on Anzac Day?

Australia and New Zealand at war.

On 25 April, 1915, Australia and New Zealand were at war. Along with the Allies (the major Allied Powers were the British Empire [Britain and her colonies and dominions], France and the Russian Empire), the ANZACs were fighting against the Central Powers (Germany, Turkey [then known as the Ottoman Empire], and Austria-Hungary).

In response to a request for help from Russia, which was being battered by the Turks in the Caucasus, the Allies decided to begin a campaign which they hoped would distract Turkey from their attack on Russia.

The plan was for the Allies to attack and take the Gallipoli Peninsula, on Turkey's Aegean coast, from which point the Allies believed they could take control of the Dardanelles - a 67 kilometre (42 mile) strait which connects the Aegean Sea with the Sea of Marmara - and lay siege to Turkey's main city, Istanbul (then Constantinople)......[Full Story]

** ANZAC Day is celebrated (remembered) all around the world by Australians, New Zealanders, and the many friends that we have. It ranges in terms of tradition from the dawn memorial to city parades and remembrance ceremonies to professional football games. To most Australian's it is a simple bbq (cookout) and a family get together to remember those who gave their lives so that we may live free...

In Melbourne ... An estimated 35,000 join the Anzac Day dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance. - Full Story

"Lest We Forget"