Lest We Forget - Anzac Day

April 25th is a much celebrated day all across Australia.  This day, Anzac Day, is the anniversary of Australia's first involvement in war and has become a patriotic day to celebrate and remember Australian troops, both past and present.

Troops march in an Anzac Day parade in Townsville, QLD.

On April 25, 1915, Australia entered WWI as a member of the British Empire.  Enthusiastic troops were sent to Gallipoli, Turkey with the mission of breaking a stalemate, however, the mission became a stalemate itself and the troops were pulled out in December of that same year.  And thus ended Australia's first involvement in war with the outside world.

Mounted troops pose for pictures during an afternoon service.

Regarded as a complete military failure, the troops' efforts in Gallipoli still marked a turning point in Australian history.  Noted as an instance of national strength, Australians found great pride in knowing that their people had willingly stepped up to assist their mother empire and thought it gave them an identity as a more mature and significant nation.  Not long after the troops landed in Gallipoli, people began idealising the Australian soldier and their efforts in the war.  So even though they didn't win any battles, the country did win a new sense of national identity and pride.

School children march past a military memorial.

Today Anzac Day is a national holiday celebrated by dawn services and parades all over the country, resembling something of a combination of Memorial Day and Veterans Day in the U.S.