Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance celebrated in Australia, New Zealand, the Cook Islands, and Tonga, to commemorate those who served and died in all wars and conflicts and honour all those brave men and women who fought in those same wars and conflicts - the Anzacs - the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, formed in Egypt in 1914, operating during the battle of Gallipoli against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War.
I've been wanting to go to Anzac Dawn Service, at Kings Park for ages, but once again I didn't manage to wake up at 4 AM to make it to the 6 AM service. I've been far too tired with too many badly slept nights, so I decided to rather catch up on sleep.
But I didn't want to let this day go by without remembering such a poignant event, so later in the day I drove to the main road of our suburb to take photos of the Anzac Memorial plaque laid out by the local RSL (Returned & Services League of Australia).
Hundreds of Anzac services are held across many towns in Australia.
 |
| Dozens of crosses with names of the fallen soldiers |
 |
| Flowers, garlands, messages and crosses for the fallen soldiers |
Strangely enough, the 25th of April is also celebrated in Portugal, as Freedom Day,
since on this day in 1974 a military coup in Lisbon overthrew the Dictatorship that had been in power since 1933.
Known as the Carnation Revolution, it comes from the fact that almost no shots were fired, and the population celebrated the end of the dictatorship and the war in the Colonies, by putting carnations on the soldier's uniforms and into the muzzles of their riffles.
(Only 3 people died in this revolution).
LEST WE FORGET!
Dearest Sami,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on Andaz Day and Portuguese Liberation Day! It also is for Italy... We lived and worked there for almost one year.
By the way, we got new leaves twice on our Magnolia trees but we will not get new blooms as those already appeared before the leaves got formed. On January 27 they bloomed and frost did turn all their new leaves brown on March 16. But one month later there were new leaves! Miracles from Mother Nature.
Hugs and happy celebration to you and your loved ones abroad!
Mariette
Thank you Mariette.
DeleteFreedom Day certainly sounds much nicer, so sad so many lives in wars were and are wasted.
ReplyDeleteAnyhow I really like the first shot, being arty, informative and beautiful.
Thanks Iris. I agree so many lives still being wasted in silly power wars.
DeleteDiz-me Dani...
ReplyDeleteÉ também a 25 de abril data fixa para essa comemoração?
Um forma de lembrar aos portugueses que aí vivem leia da liberdade
Kis :=}
Agradeço também a tua presença no meu blogue. Obrigada
Sim a data para a comemoracao do Anzac day e fixa.
DeleteObrigada Gi.
Hi from next to the statue of Marques de Pombal. Now I know why so many people are carrying carnations.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew, you are in Portugal, enjoy your holiday. Yes that would be to commemorate Freedom day.
DeleteThis year we did not get to a dawn service (nor did we get a day off work!) It was good that you were able to pass by your local shrine, we do not seem to be getting any closer to resolving our differences in the world so such days are so important lest we forget indeed.
ReplyDeleteHope you slept well!
Wren x
Sadly some people don't seem to have learned through history that wars are bad! Thanks Wren.
DeleteI have a friend who lived in Australia as an expat. She blogged a few years ago about Anzac Day. She lived outside Brisbane at the time, and showed their memorial. Seems each city had their own ceremony.
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of Freedom Day, but I loved the photos you showed with carnations in the guns. That's a wonderful way to celebrate because I think wars are so senseless. It seems like we in America are destined to start a war with a few other countries, thanks to our new president.
We celebrate Memorial Day at the end of May. It's for all those who died in ANY war we've been in.
We also celebrate Veterans Day on Nov 11 each year because it signifies the end of WWI. It is for ALL service people living, or dead, in service or retired. Much of the world celebrates that day. You might call it Armistice Day.
Thanks Elizabeth. I would guess thousands of towns would celebrate Anzac day.
DeleteI also think Mr T is trigger happy, hopefully he won't start WWIII!
On the 11th November Australia celebrates Remembrance Day.
A very special commemorative post, Sami, "lest we forget".
ReplyDeleteThe poppies spelling out ANZAC DAY is very well done and so vivid against the stark history behind it.
Thanks for sharing about the revolution in Portugal as I did not know this.
Best wishes
Thanks Christine, the photo with the poppies was from a commemorative Anzac exhibition in December last year.
DeleteMaybe because the Portuguese revolution was so peaceful it doesn't seem to be well known around the world. But glad it was that way!
Um dia muito importante para Portugal é a comemoração do dia da liberdade.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados
Obrigada Francisco, sem duvida um dia importante!
DeleteI remember that military coup in Portugal very well. It was rather peaceful which you almost never see in the world.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting that you remember it, I didn't live in Portugal then, but remember hearing about it on the radio then.
DeleteI like the sound of the 'carnation revolution' Sami, it sounds peaceful, no chopping off of heads here 😀
ReplyDeleteIt was relatively peaceful Grace. Sadly 3 people still died.
DeleteThat one image reminds me of a pub called The Black Swan. :-)
ReplyDelete