All across Australia and New Zealand (and other parts of the world with significant Australian/NZ populations), people have spent the morning at Dawn Services, Parades, Marches, and Ceremonies remembering the sacrifices made by the people who have served our countries in war as part of ANZAC Day.
It seemed inappropriate that there wasn’t already a thread on it (that I could find), so I figured it might be a good idea to change that…
Still about 40 minutes before Anzac Day on this side of the world.
It’s one of the few dates that still makes me think of home. I remember having a ceremony every Anzac Day as a kid, and as an adult it was always great to walk through Sydney and see all the diggers out in their gear. Went to a couple of dawn ceremonies in Martin Place, too. Getting up that early was tough for a night owl like me, but it was worth it.
I’m not one for celebrating or even really memorializing war—and some of the glorifying of the military here in the US annoys the hell out of me—but Anzac Day always seemed somehow different. Maybe it’s just because i grew up with it.
This year, maybe i’ll just listen to The Pogues, “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda.”
The Dawn Service was observed here. The young children were picked up at 4 am to observe it.
In an interesting coincidence, it’s Memorial Day here in Israel. The siren sounded out at 11 o’clock this morning.
Little-known fact - a proto-Israeli force actually fought at Gallipoli, on Cape Helles.
I know a lot of Australians (and NZers, too) are surprised to discover the French (and Senegalese) as well as the Indians were involved at Gallipoli, as well.
There’s a great episode of the UK Who Do You Think You Are about Robert Lindsay’s ancestors that covers a lot of the battle at Gallipoli, as his grandfather was on one of the ships there. It looked at it from a different angle to what I was familiar with, which was fascinating. I don’t know if they even mentioned the word ANZAC at all through the whole piece.
What’s the dawn ceremonies you mention?
Just that: early-morning gathering of remembrance, with wreath-laying ceremonies, prayers, short speeches or recitations, playing of the Last Post, etc.
Example (not the video at the top, which was later in the day, but the story and images below)
but why at dawn?
Remembrance Day ceremonies here are at 11 a.m. on 11/11, because that was the date the Armistice came into effect.
ANZAC commemoration ceremonies take place at dawn because the initial landings on the beaches at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 took place at dawn.
Because it is. Maybe it’s a WWI reference.
Supposed to coincidewith the time of the landing by the Australian and New Zealand troops. They went in earlier than their British and French counterparts (on different beaches).
It may surprise you to know that there are important events, commemorated by other countries, that do not coincide perfectly with the dates and times observed in the United States.
Because TURRISTS.
It may surprise you to know that I’m not an American, and I’m not talking about American ceremonies.
My point was that Remembrance Day ceremonies are at a set time to commemorate not just the day of the event, but the time. So I was wondering if there was any special significance to the dawn for ANZAC. Cunctator and Cicero very nicely helped me to understand, without any snark.
Edit: ninja’ed!
Remembrance Day is observed on November 11th in Australia, but it’s not a public holiday.
I have been to the cenotaph in Kings Park, Perth; but not on ANZAC Day. Still, it is impressive–all the names! It is a fine memorial in a beautiful setting.
I agree that this is probably the nominal reason but actually the landings were before dawn.
Because it’s quite poignant, holding the ceremony in the still of the break of day and remembering those who served in that quiet time of the morning.
Also, it frees up the rest of the day for drinking beer and playing two-up. Public holiday, you know.