ANZAC Day, observed annually on April 25, is one of the most significant national occasions in Australia and New Zealand, marking the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) forces during World War I—the Gallipoli landings in 1915. It’s a day of remembrance, reflection, and gratitude for all who have served and died in military operations, not just at Gallipoli but in all conflicts. Over time, ANZAC Day has evolved into a deeply ingrained tradition, blending solemn ceremonies with cultural practices that resonate across generations. Here’s a look at its key traditions and how they’re observed.

Historical Context

The Gallipoli Campaign began on April 25, 1915, when ANZAC troops landed on the beaches of the Gallipoli Peninsula in an attempt to capture the Dardanelles from the Ottoman Empire. The campaign was a disaster for the Allies, with heavy casualties—around 8,700 Australians and 2,700 New Zealanders died—and no strategic gains. But it became a defining moment for both nations, forging a sense of identity, resilience, and mateship (a term for camaraderie and loyalty) under fire. The “ANZAC spirit” emerged as a symbol of courage and sacrifice, and the day of the landing was chosen to honor that legacy.

ANZAC Day was first commemorated in 1916, initially as a way to honor the Gallipoli fallen, but it expanded over time to remember all Australians and New Zealanders who served in wars, peacekeeping, and conflicts, from World War II to Vietnam, Afghanistan, and beyond.

Core Traditions

ANZAC Day traditions are rooted in military protocol but have grown to include community practices that give the day its unique character. They’re observed with a mix of solemnity and national pride, often involving the whole community, from veterans to schoolchildren.

Dawn Service

The dawn service is the cornerstone of ANZAC Day. It’s held at first light—around 5:30 to 6:00 AM—symbolizing the time of the Gallipoli landings, when troops hit the beaches under cover of darkness. The service is simple but powerful, typically including:

• A bugler playing the “Last Post,” a military call signaling the end of the day (and metaphorically, a soldier’s life).
• A minute or two of silence for reflection.
• The “Reveille” or “Rouse,” another bugle call to awaken troops, symbolizing renewal or resurrection.
• Recitation of the “Ode of Remembrance,” a stanza from Laurence Binyon’s poem For the Fallen:
  “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.”
• The laying of wreaths, often red poppies, symbolizing bloodshed and remembrance (a nod to the poppies of Flanders Fields from World War I).

Dawn services are held at war memorials across Australia and New Zealand, from major cities like Sydney and Wellington to tiny rural towns. Many also travel to Gallipoli itself for a special service at Anzac Cove, where thousands gather in the pre-dawn chill, often wrapped in blankets, to honor the fallen where it all began.

ANZAC Day Marches

Later in the morning, veterans, serving military personnel, and descendants of soldiers march through cities and towns. These parades are a public display of remembrance and pride, often led by veterans in their medals and uniforms, followed by family members wearing the medals of deceased relatives (on the right side of the chest, as tradition dictates). Military bands play, and crowds line the streets, clapping and cheering. In major cities like Melbourne or Auckland, the march ends at a central war memorial—like the Shrine of Remembrance or the Auckland War Memorial Museum—for a larger commemorative service.

The marches have evolved over time. In the early years, they were strictly for veterans, but today they’re more inclusive, with younger generations, cadets, and community groups joining in to keep the tradition alive as the number of surviving veterans dwindles.

Commemorative Services

Beyond the dawn service and march, additional ceremonies are held at memorials and churches throughout the day. These often include prayers, hymns (like “Abide with Me”), and speeches from dignitaries or military leaders. The Australian and New Zealand national anthems are sung, and sometimes the Turkish anthem is included as a gesture of reconciliation, reflecting the respect both nations hold for their former enemy.

Wearing Symbols

Several symbols are central to ANZAC Day:

• Rosemary: Worn on lapels or hats, rosemary symbolizes remembrance and grows wild on the Gallipoli Peninsula, tying it directly to the campaign.
• Red Poppies: As in other Commonwealth countries, poppies are worn to honor the fallen, inspired by the fields of Flanders but universal in meaning.
• Medals: Veterans and their families wear service medals, either their own (on the left) or those of deceased relatives (on the right).

Two-Up

A uniquely Australian tradition, two-up is a simple gambling game played with two coins tossed into the air from a wooden “kip.” Players bet on whether the coins will land as two heads, two tails, or one of each (odds). It was popular among soldiers during World War I as a way to pass the time and build camaraderie. On ANZAC Day, it’s one of the few times gambling on two-up is legal outside regulated venues in Australia. Pubs, clubs, and Returned and Services League (RSL) venues host games, often packed with people shouting and cheering, blending solemnity with a bit of rowdy fun in true digger (soldier) spirit.

ANZAC Biscuits

Baking and eating ANZAC biscuits is a cherished tradition. These simple treats—made from oats, flour, golden syrup, butter, sugar, coconut, and baking soda (no eggs, so they’d keep longer)—were supposedly sent by wives and mothers to soldiers abroad during World War I because they could survive the long journey. Today, they’re baked in homes and sold at fundraisers, with recipes often passed down through families. They’re a sweet reminder of home and resilience, though debates rage about whether they should be crunchy or chewy (there’s no wrong answer, but chewy tends to win out).

Sporting Events

In Australia, ANZAC Day has a strong sporting tradition, particularly in rugby league and Australian Rules Football (AFL). The most famous is the AFL “ANZAC Day Clash” between the Collingwood and Essendon football clubs, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) since 1995. It’s one of the biggest games of the year, drawing massive crowds, and begins with a pre-game ceremony, including the Last Post and a minute’s silence. In rugby league, the Sydney Roosters and St. George Illawarra Dragons play the ANZAC Day Cup. These matches honor the day while reflecting the “mateship” of teamwork—an echo of the ANZAC spirit on the field.

Cultural Significance and Evolution

ANZAC Day isn’t just about the past; it’s a living tradition that evolves while staying anchored in its core values. Early on, it was a day of grief for those who’d lost loved ones, but it grew into a broader commemoration of service and sacrifice. For Australians and New Zealanders, it’s often seen as the moment their young nations “came of age” on the world stage, proving their mettle far from home.

The day also fosters a sense of unity with former foes. Turkey, once the enemy, is now a close partner in remembrance. At Gallipoli, joint ceremonies emphasize reconciliation—Atatürk’s 1934 words to the mothers of fallen ANZACs (“Your sons are now lying in our bosom… they have become our sons as well”) are often quoted, a testament to shared humanity.

In recent years, there’s been debate about the day’s tone. Some worry it risks being “commercialized” with sporting events and pub gatherings overshadowing the solemnity, while others see these as part of keeping the spirit alive for new generations. Attendance at dawn services remains high, though, suggesting the balance still holds.

Observance Beyond Australia and New Zealand

While ANZAC Day is most intensely felt in Australia and New Zealand, it’s also marked elsewhere:

• Gallipoli, Turkey: The dawn service at Anzac Cove draws thousands, including Aussies, Kiwis, Turks, and others. It’s a bucket-list pilgrimage for many.
• France and Belgium: On the Western Front, where ANZACs also fought, services are held at places like Villers-Bretonneux in France, especially significant for Australians.
• Globally: Embassies and expat communities hold smaller services worldwide, often at local war memorials.

Why It Endures

ANZAC Day traditions endure because they strike a deep chord—honoring sacrifice without glorifying war, fostering community while allowing personal reflection. The dawn service’s quiet reverence, the march’s public pride, the two-up games’ nod to digger culture, and even the biscuits’ homespun warmth all weave a tapestry of memory that feels both timeless and immediate. It’s a day that asks people to pause, remember, and carry forward the values of courage, mateship, and resilience, whether at a windswept beach in Gallipoli or a suburban RSL club. For many, it’s not just a history lesson—it’s a reminder of what binds a nation together.