ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corp. During WWI there were MANY lives lost when the Aussies and Kiwi's landed on the beaches at Gallipoli..........we have a public holiday to celebrate and honour all the people that have given up their lives for our freedom.
Dawn services are held around the country as well marches down the main streets, where people from past wars and/or their relatives march to honour their fallen comrades.
This a link explaining it better I have!
http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/anzac_tradition.asp
The dawn services are particularly moving, and I have always loved the ode that is recited and goes as follows:
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.
http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/customs/recitation.asp
When you are standing there in the still quiet of the dawn and hear those words and then you hear the Last Post and wow!! the feeling that rises in your heart is just so overwhelming and filled with such gratitude for these fallen but never forgotten heroes. (I am getting teary must writing about it!!! )
More info about the last post here:
http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/customs/last_post.asp
and of course, I can't mention Anzac Day without thinking/smelling the fragrance of the herb Rosemary. As a child at school we wore a sprig of it during our Anzac remberances. I have several bushes growing in my garden, and now, whenever I smell it lovely fragrance I am transported back to my school days!
http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/customs/rosemary.asp
okay, I am done!! LOL!! history lesson over with for today!!!
