While preparing for the Australian Citizenship test, having your mind brimming with the correct knowledge will take you a long way in excelling in the said test. Since a significant section of the information needed for the Australian Citizenship test focuses on the Anzac Day, this article will surely prove to be a boon for you. Read it thoroughly and know the necessary facts on Anzac Day for your Australian Citizenship test. It doesn’t mean that question about Anzac day is a must in Australian citizenship test; however, having full knowledge on Anzac day will surely make you well-prepared.
History of Anzac Day – Crucial Information for the Australian Citizenship test
The forthcoming details may cause you to be puzzled, so please do take notes as you go for better performance in the Australian Citizenship test. During the First World War in 1914, Australian servicemen and women forced an alliance with the New Zealand soldiers and together they set out to fight against Turkey, an accomplice of the Germans. Their prime target was Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire. The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), to provide assistance to the British battleships at the strait of Dardanelles, landed at Gallipoli on 25th April 1915.
From then on began an eight month long campaign, known as the Gallipoli campaign that resulted in the loss of 56,000 soldiers, out of which 8,709 were Australian and 2,721 belonged to New Zealand. During the campaign, on 24th May 1915, an 8 hour long truce was forged between the Turkish soldiers and the Anzac to bury their fallen men. Do remember to pay attention to such intricate details as they may later haunt you while you are in the midst of your Australian Citizenship test.
And although the Anzacs came out of the Gallipoli campaign defeated by the Turkish soldiers the common folk of Australia and New Zealand welcomed the veterans with warm hearts. To them, despite the failed mission, the Anzac represented the free and brave spirit of the servicemen and women who fought fearlessly and with honor to defend their motherland. The Australian Citizenship test may present questions based on this, so do take notice of this information.
A year later, to symbolize the courage showed by the men and women who had voluntarily stepped forward to battle in WW1 for their nations, the first anniversary of the landing of the troops was observed in Australian, New Zealand, England as well as Egypt, on 25th April 1916. The day was named ‘Anzac Day’. New Zealand declared Anzac Day to be a public holiday from 1921, while Australia announced Anzac Day to be memorialized nationwide since 1922, ordering all businesses and schools to be shut for the day.
Since the Australian Citizenship test is likely to quiz you on the mournful history of the Anzac Day, better polish your knowledge while there is still time.
Anzac Day Ceremonies – Important facts for the Australian Citizenship test
The Anzac Day commences with a Dawn Serviceto pay tribute to the Anzacs who got up at predawn and enjoyed a few moments of calmness at the break of day before putting on their armor for the battle. A pre-dawn march, opening at the same the Anzac troop had landed in Gallipoli, is followed up a bugler playing a song. Two minutes of silence is then observed and lastly the 4 stanzas of ‘For the Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon, commonly known as The Ode, are often recited to honor the fallen soldiers.
Following the Dawn Service is the ‘Gunfire’ breakfast, a meal made up of two basic elements of food found in the ration of the Anzac troops. This little detail is not widely known, so store it in your mind further to be prepared for the Australian Citizenship test.
The Anzac Day Parade is then started with the veterans and descendants of the Anzac soldiers marching the streets while they carrying the medals which mark the honorable deeds of the servicemen and women. Prayers, speeches and the National Anthem wrap up the Anzac Day ceremonies.
Representatives of Anzac Day – Learn interesting facts for the Australian Citizenship test
The Anzacs are blended into the lifestyle of Australia and the evidences of that is the Two-up, a traditional gambling game played on the Anzac Day to mark a shared experience with the soldiers. The Australian and New Zealand’s rugby teams also play an Anzac Day test. Even flowers such as the red poppies, which signify the red poppies that bloomed over the graves of the Anzacs, and the rosemary, which grows abundantly in the Gallipoli peninsula, are worn specifically on the Anzac Day as a symbol of remembrance.
Interestingly enough, during the Gallipoli campaign, wives and the female family members of the soldiers invented the Anzac Biscuits. The scarcity of rations of the Anzac prompted the creation of this biscuit which had all the right ingredients to make it endure a long life without going stale, a perfect addition to the diet of the soldiers.
Daunting as it may seem, the Australian Citizenship test does require more than 75 percent performance, an achievement which is attainable with the correct knowledge. So, give it your best try to overcome the hurdle of the Australian Citizenship test with your first try.
And now, try this quick True or False test with real questions from the Australian citizenship test.
