Anzac Day

Anzac Day, 25 April, marks the anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps' (ANZAC) first landing on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915, during the First World War. Although the Allies lost the Gallipoli campaign with appalling loss of life for a small piece of land, this was an important episode in New Zealand's history. It showcased attitudes and attributes  bravery, tenacity, practicality, ingenuity, loyalty to King and comrades  that helped New Zealand define itself as a nation, even as it fought unquestioningly on the other side of the world in the name of the British Empire, and suffered appalling loss of life during the Great War. .

Anzac day is now the focus for a broader acknowledgement of the costs of war: the sacrifice of all those who have died in warfare is remembered, as is the contribution and suffering of all those who have served. Anzac Day promotes a sense of unity, perhaps more effectively than any other day on the national calendar. People whose politics, beliefs and aspirations are widely different can nevertheless share a genuine sorrow at the loss of so many lives in war, and a real respect for those who have endured warfare on behalf of their country.

Dawn Parades and other memorials Nationwide are typically attended by the New Zealand Defence Force, the New Zealand Cadet Forces, members of the New Zealand Police, New Zealand Fire Service, Order of St John Ambulance Service (Youth and Adult Volunteers) as well as Scouting New Zealand, Guides New Zealand and other uniformed community service groups. 
Paper poppies are widely distributed by the Returned Services Association and worn as symbols of remembrance. This tradition follows that of the wearing of poppies on Remembrance Sunday in other Commonwealth countries.

The ANZAC day Ode 
This is the verse of the ode that is said during the minutes silent on Anzac Day:

They shall grow not old, 
As we that are left grow old, 
Age shall not weary them, 
Nor the years condemn. 
At the going down of the sun, 
And in the morning 
We will remember them. 

The total population of New Zealand in 1914 was just over one million. 
120,000 New Zealanders enlisted, of whom 103,000 served overseas.  
18,500 New Zealanders died and another 50,000 wounded. 
The country with the highest proportions of deaths per head of population was New Zealand

ANZAC Day is also a public holiday in Australia, the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga.

New Zealand holds dawn parades all over the country and if you are in New Zealand for Anzac day it would be worth while attending one.