Anzac Day 2011, 2012 and onwards

Anzac Day Australia : April 25

Anzac Day is a public holiday in every state and territory of Australia, on April 25 each year. On this date people commemorate and honour all Australians who died during wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

When April 25 falls on a weekend, the states follow different rules. New South Wales, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory keep April 25 and add the following Monday as an additional public holiday (Monday 27 April 2026 and Monday 26 April 2027). In Queensland and the Northern Territory the holiday moves to Monday only when April 25 is a Sunday (Monday 26 April 2027). Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania have no extra day. In 2028 Anzac Day is a Tuesday.

Anzac stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were also referred to as “Anzacs”. The Anzacs formed part of an allied army during World War I, whose mission was to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey, to open a free passage for the Navy in order to capture Constantinople (nowadays Istanbul). The final objective was to knock the Ottoman Empire, allied to Germany during World War I, out of the war quickly.

The troops landed in Gallipoli on April 25 1915. The Allied forces encountered fierce resistance by the Ottomans. Instead of a swift operation, the mission turned into a lasting battle with heavy casualties for both parties. After 8 months the troops were evacuated from the peninsula.

It was the first time that Australia and New Zealand lost so many soldiers in an armed conflict. For that reason the news of the Gallipoli campaign had a dramatic impact on the Australian and New Zealand societies and April 25 quickly became the day to remember the fallen.

Although the origin of Anzac Day lies in World War I, the casualties of all conflicts and peacekeeping operations are commemorated nowadays. On April 25 dawn services are held at war memorials and Anzac Day marches are organised across the nation to honour and remember those who gave their lives in service of their country. See also Remembrance Day on November 11.