ANZAC Day

Future King and Queen of the
Commonwealth Realms in Australia

Happy ANZAC day to all my Australian and Kiwi readers out there (all "none" of you).  Some of you might be thinking, "what is ANZAC Day?"  It just so happens that I am an expert regarding the subject because I spent a few hours last night learning about it firsthand from the person on the bar stool next to me.  ANZAC Day commemorates the soldiers of the Australia New Zealand Army Corp lost during the allied campaign at Gallipoli.  The day is usually celebrated with a sunrise service, breakfast, and afternoon parades that honor Australian and New Zealand's veterans.  The day is sort of equivalent to Memorial Day in the United States, but with some important historical ties to the concept of Austalian and New Zealand's identities as independent nations (both are currently Commonwealth Realms).

An Australian veteran during an ANZAC Day parade

It's also a big deal in other parts of the British Empire, with services in London, Hong Kong, and Singapore taking place this morning.  The guy last night brought me up to speed on some of the more colorful traditions associated with ANZAC Day.  He told me that it is the only day that you can gamble in pubs and bars in Australia because people play this game called "2 up".  The game was a favorite pastime of ANZAC soldiers and the tradition of playing it remains an important part of ANZAC Day.  He told me it is an easy way to spot Australians and New Zealanders living abroad on ANZAC Day.  Despite this fun tradition, the holiday is a quite somber affair, from what I can tell, with the emphasis on honoring veterans and those lost during wars.    

Ceremony at the Cenotaph in Hong Kong

ANZAC Day service in Singapore

Getting to learn about other nation's holidays is one of my favorite things.  Though familiar with the Gallipoli campaign and ANZAC Day before last night, I didn't realize how important it was to the identities of New Zealand and Australians, especially those in the diaspora.  Some even argue that the Gallipoli campaigns galvanized the national identities of Australia and New Zealand, uniting an otherwise fractured group of territories.  Whether or not this is true, expect to see some of your Kiwi and Australian friends visiting the nearest Cenotaph today.  Make sure to remember that it is toughest to be away from home on the holidays most associated with your national identity.  Sometimes people just want to tell you about "home."



Photos courtesy of the BBC World Service