ANZAC Day is a public holiday in Australia that is similar to our Memorial Day in America. It celebrates, or remembers, the day that the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) showed up at the beached in Gallipoli, Turkey, and got massacred. They were out numbered and not prepared for what happened. This year was the 98th anniversary of this sad day. The Aussies say that on April 25th, 1915 the Anzac Spirit was born. This "spirit" is what keeps the Australian army motivated and going.
Most places in Australia do a Dawn Service on Anzac Day, at dawn (6:15 in Tanunda). A LOT of people show up. It is amazing the people that will wake up that early on their day off. I did it so see what this day was all about, but they do it to pay respect to the diggers (soldiers) that lost their lives during war, "Lest We Forget". Hearing Australians ideas on war is interesting. They have never gone to war as a country. Australia always goes as an ally, to help another country. Australians have lost their lives at battles that are not even theirs. They see themselves as a friend that helps friends when they are in need.
After this service, there is a "Gun Fire Breakfast". I did not go to it, but it has bacon and eggs and other food…I don't know. Biscuits, jam and coffee with rum is the classic way to go, according to some TV show I was watching.
Another fun fact for this day is a gambling game that is illegal in Australia is legal on this day, Two-Up. You bet on flipping coins, either two heads or two tails. If you bet right, you get the other parties money. If the coins land on a head and a tail you just re-flip them. Oh Australians and their gambling.
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