Present day soldiers at Gallipoli

The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs, and even today many years later Anzac Day remains one of the most important national occasions for both nations.

Fortunately, too, unlike many other chapters of our history Anzac Day is celebrated across both nations not only in the capital cities but also in small villages and hamlets here and in New Zealand.

But the event was not without its heartaches with more than 8000 Australians and 2700 New Zealanders perishing in an Allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula and to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies.

The final resting place of many ANZAC soldiers at Gallipoli

Though the campaign failed in its initial military objectives to knock Turkey out of the war, the combined actions of the Anzac would become an important part of the national identity in both countries.

Anzac Day was officially named in 1916 and in London more than 2000 Australian and New Zealand troops marched through the streets of the city.

And it was during the 1920s that Anzac Day became a national day of commemoration for the 60,000 Australians and 18,000 Kiwis who died during World War 1.

Today Anzac Day is still considered as one of the most spiritual and solemn days of our year with the major marches in our capital cities televised live to the rest of the nation.

The memorial at Gallipoli

Sportsmen pay homage

Even today the NRL and AFL pay homage to the fallen by playing special matches on the day.

Beginning in 1997 rugby league introduced the ANZAC Test which is played in the lead up to the 25th April between Australia and New Zealand.

The AFL played their first Anzac Day game in 1975 when Essendon and Carlton did battle at the then VFL Park at Waverley before 77,770 people. Today the annual blockbuster is played at the MCG between old rivals Collingwood and Essendon and in 1995 nearly 95,000 people went along to watch.

But it’s not just here the day is celebrated with a special service conducted at Anzac Cove in Turkey where as many as 15,000 people have attended.

In Kanchanaburi, Thailand, a dawn service is held at Hellfire Pass, a rock cutting dug by Allied prisoners of war for the Thai-Burma railway.

The day is also celebrated in London, Newfoundland (Canada), Yokohama (Japan), Israel, France and Indonesia.

And what is particularly pleasing these days is that many young Australians not only attend the services but are also able to march with the old Diggers and wear with pride the medals of their grandparents and fathers.