Did you know that April 25 was Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand? This is a big deal in Australia, it marks the anniversary of the first major military battle fought by Australian and New Zealand forces in the First World War. It's the day that Australians remember Gallipoli.

From the official Australian War Memorial web site:

Why is this day so special to Australians?
When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only fourteen years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula to open the way to the Black Sea for the allied navies. The plan was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul), capital of the Ottoman Empire and an ally of Germany. They landed at Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers were killed. News of the landing at Gallipoli made a profound impact on Australians at home and 25 April quickly became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in war.

Though the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives of capturing Constantinople and knocking Turkey out of the war, the Australian and New Zealand troops' actions during the campaign bequeathed an intangible but powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as an "Anzac legend" became an important part of the national identity of both nations. This shaped the ways they viewed both their past and their future.

Tens of thousands of Australians attended the Anzac services. The importance of the day and it's spirit of courage, sacrifice and, of course, "mateship" are things that Canada could learn from. Many of the attendees are young people, who see it as a day of national pride.

Terry Coffey, from Campbelltown, arrived at Martin Place at 3am (AEST) with his two boys Matthew, 15 and Jason, 11, to keep a family tradition going.

"We've been coming in for the past five to ten years, I first came in with my dad who served in New Guinea and the boys then wanted to come in," he said.

"It's great, you can't get to where you are going if you don't know where you've been."

The services included many expressions of support for the country's armed forces and recognition of the role they are playing to combat evil in today's world.

Reverend Thompson said the thousands of Australian men and women serving overseas were continuing the Anzac tradition by facing evil at every turn.

"It is a time to be inspired by their sacrifice and courage, so that we might play our part in seeking to confront the evil in our world," he said.

"(The British statesman and philosopher) Edmund Burke once said evil prospers when good men - and might I add good women - do nothing.

"We must stand against evil; we must work for peace together; we must not, we dare not forget the Anzacs and all they stood for.

"Indeed, we must remember all who've left Australia's shores and stood in the face of danger to combat evil, and those at home who've supported them."

Thousand more Aussies and Kiwis attended ceremonies in Gallipoli . This has become a yearly ritual that generates so much tourism for Turkey that the Turkish government is investing $US 100 million in the area and considering building a special hi-tech "battle simulation centre" on the Gallipoli peninsula.