Anzac Day’s observance on 25 April commemorates the landing of the ANZAC forces at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. Originally planned as a strike to knock Turkey out of the war, the Turkish forces commanded by Mustafa Kemal (later Attaturk), proved stronger and more resourceful than anticipated, with the result that the offensive quickly became a stalemate. The campaign dragged on for eight months until the Allied forces were evacuated at the end of 1915. Both sides had suffered heavy casualties, with over 8,000 Australian and 2,700 New Zealand soldiers killed.
From the outset the landings at Gallipoli grabbed the attention and imagination of the public in Australia and New Zealand. When the first news of the landing reached New Zealand on 30 April, 1915, a half-day holiday was declared and impromptu services were held. The day became known as Anzac Day well before 25 April was officially designated Anzac Day in 1916. Proposals to officially designate that date as Anzac Day originated in Queensland and were quickly taken up by the other States. The Returned Services Association of New South Wale raised funds for an ANZAC Day Memorial, and the Queensland Department of Public Instruction published a text for students entitled ‘ANZAC Day’.
