Anzac Day Research Paper

First and foremost, the Anzac Spirit is about the remembrance of the sacrifices made by men and women who have and are still serving in the military.

The Anzac legend is an important aspect of our identity as a New Zealander. We have every reason to be proud of this historical event. In saying this, many New Zealanders died for us (as New Zealanders) and for our country, in order to give us a chance for a good life and be able to make a success of it. This essay will examine reasons of the Anzac legend and how it has been incorporated into the New Zealand identity. One aspect that this legend evaluates its place in our national identity is our pride. Our pride is shown immensely through the Anzac services that are both commemorated here in New Zealand as well as Gallipoli. We as New Zealanders are so proud that even though we did not succeed in the battle of Gallipoli, we made an effort to fight as brothers in arms until the very end. We acknowledge this proud moment in our history as that is how people recognise and identify us as New Zealanders. Another aspect that made our identity incorporated with the Anzac legend was our Ingenuity that we as New Zealanders were and are still well known for. The other point that makes our identity unique with the Anzac legend was the bonding with our fellow comrades, such as the Australians (as the corps was known as the Australian New Zealand Army Corps). New Zealand has had a long and positive relations with our neighbour Australia, especially during the time of the Gallipoli war. The bonding with the Australians was very important during this battle as they had to rely on each

In wartime propaganda, the ANZAC forces were portrayed as the loyal sons of the British Empire, fighting as much for the 'mother country' as for their own. Beyond the military campaign, the ANZAC soldiers represented the ethos of their rural Australian background. The values of equality, good humor and mateship were transplanted to the situation in Turkey. It is easy to understand why the ANZAC legend became so popular.

World War 1 (1914-1918) was the first official war that Australians took part in, only thirteen years after federating as a country in 1901. During this time, thousands of lives were lost, families were torn apart, and friends were never seen again. April 25th became the national day to commemorate the ANZAC soldiers who had served overseas. Even now, 100 years later, people still remember those who sacrificed themselves for Australia, those who fought and fell in many battles to protect the country they lived in. The Gallipoli Campaign is the most famous battle of World War 1, the battle that every Australian household knows about. However, other battles such as the ones on the

World War One is regarded as a major turning point in history and modern warfare which has impacted Australia monumentally, scarring the nation’s history. Australia played a significant role in World War One and the Gallipoli campaign, which is considered the birthplace of the ANZAC legend. These events have immensely shaped Australia as the nation we know of today. World War One began in 1914 from the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and ended in 1918 on November the 11th which is now recognised as a day of mourning and a time given recognition to the lives taken on the battlefield. To a prominent extent, the ANZAC legend is significant to the concept of Australian identity and nationalism through the origins of the ANZAC legend, the key events that have helped form Australia as an independent nation, and in addition to how ANZAC day is commemorated today.

On ANZAC Day let us spend a moment in silent tribute to the thousands of courageous Australian men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

‘A massive increase in the popularity and national significance of ANZAC Day’ (Source 1), grew throughout the twenty-first century. Since the landing of Gallipoli, it has been celebrated and as it continued, it quickly adapted to the cultural change of the media and technology which further improved the growth of its popularity. This day joins all Australians as one, in celebration to show their respect, compassion and pride for those people who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Damian Morgan conveyed the change in society, but also the well-kept, treasured ANZAC Spirit.

Last year, on the 25th of April was the centenary of the Gallipoli landing. Which, according to the Australian Defence force website, was to be for Australians, “one of the most significant commemorations to take place during their lifetime.” With the centenary looming in the backs of the minds of the Australian people, it is unsurprising that great pains have been taken to construct a three year long celebration that would “encompass a number of historical milestones on Australia 's involvement in conflicts”, such as both World Wars, Korea and Vietnam.

The Anzac legend is still relevant in today’s society as it reminds Australians and New Zealands of the sacrifice they made to protect our country and let us live in freedom. The legend defines our national identity and helps shape our national reputation so that other countries can look at us as and think of us as a country who are determined, brave, resilient and helps our mates when they are in trouble. Almost a whole generation of young men was lost and they deserved to be remembered. The soldiers continued to fight during challenging times and when they felt as though it was too hard and should give up. They slept in wet and dirty clothes and barely had enough food to survive. Australia wouldn’t be Australia without the legend of the soldiers who sacrificed themselves for us.

ANZAC Day was first commemorated in London in 1916, by Australian and New Zealand soldiers to commemorate

By the time the war was over in November 1918, more than 9 million soldiers had been killed. Those who survived Gallipoli would never again mistake war for adventure. Within 24 hours the plan had failed, leaving approximately 747 Australians dead on the first day. Gallipoli has become so important to Australia’s national identity because it was the first time Australian’s fought overseas. World War 1 has shaped the way Australia’s now lives as we grow to know, and respect the Anzac legend as we understand what the soldiers did for our nation. The ANZAC legend will always live on as the stories are passed through family, to family. Anzac Day is celebrated to ensured the campaign will never be forgotten.

The ANZACS displayed admirable feats of bravery during WW1 before, during and after their charge on Gallipoli. ANZACs stood tall and unwavering in the face of adversity, facing gun fire, shelling and hunger in a land far from home with nothing but a sardonic smile and a pack of supplies on their backs. The fact that their struggles amounted to no military victory shows that even though they couldn’t see any progress during their struggles, they were motivated and brave enough to keep fighting for what they believed was right. Couple this with the words from The Australian War Memorial stating “The ANZAC’s rejected any unnecessary restrictions, possessed a sardonic sense of humour…contentious of danger and proved himself equal to anyone on the battlefield” (2017) and it is obvious how truly courageous the ANZAC soldiers were. Many soldiers

When people talk about the ANZAC spirit, they think that it just defines their spirit towards victory, but research shows that it was much more than that. The ANZAC spirit shown by the soldiers is commemorated to this very day because we ought to learn from the soldiers that regardless of how many losses, the effort was what counted. Furthermore, it reminds us that everyone was suffering while the men and women were away at

It is a day where we honour and remember the soldiers who fought and died for our country. It is also a day where we come together and appreciate our freedom and reflect back on how far Australia has come since WWI. Most importantly, it is a day to reflect on the spirit of the ANZACs. I believe that the ANZAC legend is important for future generations to be aware

The Anzacs, Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, forged Australia’s national identity when on 25 April 1915, they sacrificed their lives gallantly in Gallipoli (Black 1990:33). Many of the values and virtues characteristic of this troop, are embodied in the sacredness of Australia’s civil religion (eds. Robbins & Robertson 1987:244). Mateship, egalitarian individualism, and hostility to formal bureaucracy and hierarchy are hallmark of the beliefs the nation holds sacred, in conjunction with elaborate war memorials that serve as architectural reminders, totems, of comradeship, ruggedness and sacrifice (eds. Robbins & Robertson 1987:244). RSL, Returned Servicemen’s League, clubs established throughout the nation are temples where fellowship and communion are enjoyed and tradition is perpetuated through the transmission of legend and folklore (Alpert 1993:200-1; eds. Robbins & Robertson 1987:244). The establishment of Australia’s civil religion was solidified when on 20 October 1916, the War Precautions Act was proclaimed, forbidding the use of the word Anzac in the profane and penalising any person who did so with a fine of one hundred pounds or six months imprisonment (Seal 2007:136-7). Enshrining the term ‘Anzac’ in law and imbuing it with a special status, further established it as sacred, resulting in Anzac Day being accepted in 1930 as a