This word is the Staff acronym for the “Australia and New Zealand Army Corps”, the two Division, 30,000-man force of volunteers who landed at ANZAC COVE on the west coast of the Gallipoli Peninsular at dawn on April 25th, 1915. This landing marked the start of one the greatest “might have beens” in modern history.
The History of ANZAC Day
The Gallipoli Peninsula forms the west coast of the Dardanelles, the sea passage from the Mediterranean to the Black Sea. The intent was to knock Turkey out of the 1914-1918 War. Sadly, it failed.
Had it been successful, the sea passage to Russia would have been opened, and Allied support for Russia could have been sent, thus probably averting the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the blood-soaked history of the following decades, including Hitler, the 1939-1945 War and the Cold War.
The word ANZAC has passed into our language, and the 25th of April is honoured in Australia and New Zealand with all the ceremonies that November 11th, May 9th “VE Day” and June 6th “D Day” together are in Canada.
How ANZAC Day is Recognized Around the World
The word ‘ANZAC’ is protected by an Act of Parliament and cannot be used in any commercial context. ANZAC Day is always commemorated on the actual date, and never, as so many other memorable days have been on the nearest Sunday or Monday!
On this day, we Australians and New Zealanders remember all those who have served and those who have died in the name of freedom and service to the Crown during the Sudan, South African, 1914-1918, 1939-1945, Korean, Vietnam, Malaya, Borneo, East Timor, Gulf War, Middle East and many other campaigns elsewhere.
Services are held globally (hundreds of these across Canada and the USA) every 25th of April to recognize, honour, appreciate and, most importantly, remember the men and women who fought and gave their lives for our freedom.
Jason Webb, Managing Director and founder of Downunder Travel Ltd, has been involved with
organizing the Calgary ANZAC Day service for the last 18 years.
“An honour that extends beyond any words to be involved with this event every year.” – Jason, on his involvement in the Calgary Service.
Lest we forget.
