Imagine traveling a long way to go on vacation. As you walk through the central part of the city with your family, you notice a huge display of red flowers, with people standing around. But this is not a garden you are looking at. You are in Australia on ANZAC Day.
ANZAC Day is a holiday that starts back when our New Zealand forces and Australia fought in the war, it is a day where their is no school so we can remember the people that fought for us.
Every April 25th, ceremonies are held in both countries to honor the sacrifices of their brave military men and women. It is similar to Memorial Day and Veterans Day in the US, except both the war dead and living service members are honored during this one day.
How did ANZAC Day start?
In 1914, World War I started and Britain went to war with Germany. Because Australia and New Zealand were British colonies, men in those countries volunteered to fight for Britain as part of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
On April 25, 1915, these soldiers landed at Gallipoli which is part of Turkey. The Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought courageously there for 8 months in muddy, mucky conditions. About 8,000 died in the fight and around 18,000 were injured.
Besides the fighting, they suffered with lice, bad food, little drinkable water, and illness.
Even though they had to withdraw, they were viewed as brave men who sacrificed everything for their countries.
You've learnt a lot about ANZAC Day Jabal. WW1 and especially Gallipolli were such awful times for the young people involved - some of them were very young - not much older than your brother.
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