ANZAC DAY-Public holiday

It’s a day to commemorate the brave souls from Aust and NZ who went to fought a war in Gallipoli during WWI. Remember the street infront of my place where all the shops are is called ANZAC PARADE. I guess is the stretch street where the ANZAC soldiers used to parade along when they returned. For more historical background story pls go to Wikipedia.

Since I’m in geriatrics term now…I should say I guess it’s a GREAT DAY FOR the senior citizens…as it’s their generation big happening event….some old folks aka old Anzacs will come out to parade if they are not too illed. The various cities have their parade and celebrations too. The old folks homes probably have their old folks out on the day. It 'll b another rest day for me.

“ ANZAC Day - 25 April - 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 thirteen 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 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 strike 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. Though the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking Turkey out of the war, the Australian and New Zealand troops' actions during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an "Anzac legend" became an important part of the national identity of both nations. This shaped the ways they viewed both their past and their future.”