Today is Anzac Day, the 25th of April.
Originally, Anzac Day commemorated the Australian and New Zealand forces that landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey on the 25th of April 1915, during the First World War.
Today it is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served".
The day commences with a dawn service at the Shrine of Remembrance, followed by a parade of past servicemen and women from all wars. As the number of ex-service personnel dwindle each year, many descendants proudly wear the medals and ribbons in the march to commemorate them. Since the late 1980s and especially the 1990s, interest in and attendance at Anzac Day has grown.
With its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, the spirit of the Anzac continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity.
"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."
Lest we forget