Anzac Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs sources verify 25 April as Anzac Day every year, state that Acting Prime Minister George Pearce officially named 25 April ‘Anzac Day’ in 1916, and document the first Anzac Day commemorations on 25 April 1916. The current Anzac Day Act 1995 (Cth) legislates the day as a national day of observance; state and territory weekend public-holiday rules vary.
About Anzac Day
Anzac Day is Australia’s national day of commemoration, observed on 25 April each year.
The date marks the anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand landings at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, while the modern observance recognizes Australians who have served in wars, conflicts and peace operations.
Why Anzac Day matters
Anzac Day is a remembrance observance centered on service, sacrifice and the effects of war on veterans, families and communities.
Participation can take many forms, including dawn services, marches, local ceremonies, quiet remembrance and learning from reputable historical sources.
History of Anzac Day
In 1916, Acting Prime Minister George Pearce officially named 25 April “Anzac Day”.
The first Anzac Day commemorations were held on 25 April 1916 in Australia and overseas.
By 1927, every Australian state observed Anzac Day as a public holiday.
The Anzac Day Act 1995 (Cth) legislates Anzac Day as a national day of observance; state and territory rules determine weekend public-holiday arrangements.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Violet Day remembrance and fundraising observance in South Australia
Earlier South Australian wartime remembrance/fundraising context preceded the first Anzac Day commemorations of 25 April 1916; it is not treated as Anzac Day itself.
George Pearce, Acting Prime Minister of Australia (official naming of 25 April as “Anzac Day” in 1916)
Department of Veterans’ Affairs historical material states that Pearce officially named 25 April “Anzac Day” in 1916; this is an official-naming fact, not a claim that he alone created all remembrance practices associated with the day.
Australian Government
Department of Veterans’ Affairs describes the 1916 official naming by the Acting Prime Minister and the first commemorations that year.
First documented observance
DVA states that the first Anzac Day commemorations were held on 25 April 1916.
Legislated Anzac Day as a national day of observance to recognize and commemorate Australians who served in war and warlike conflicts.
Commonwealth of Australia · Anzac Day Act 1995 (Cth)
Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Australian War Memorial for national commemoration resources/services, alongside state, territory and local organizers
DVA publishes national Anzac Day resources and identifies the Australian War Memorial as the site of the National Dawn Service; local marches and services may be organized by RSL, ex-service and community bodies.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
How to Observe Anzac Day
Attend a dawn service, march or local commemorative service if it is appropriate for you.
Read Department of Veterans’ Affairs or Australian War Memorial material about the Gallipoli campaign and the evolution of Anzac Day.
Observe a quiet moment of remembrance or support a community commemorative event.
Use respectful, non-graphic language and allow veterans and families to decide how much personal experience they wish to share.
Anzac Day Facts
Anzac Day falls on 25 April every year.
The date is the anniversary of the Gallipoli landings of 25 April 1915.
George Pearce officially named 25 April “Anzac Day” in 1916.
The first Anzac Day commemorations were held on 25 April 1916.
The Anzac Day Act 1995 (Cth) establishes its current federal status as a national day of observance, while public-holiday substitution rules vary by state and territory.
Anzac Day Messages
Remembering those who have served Australia with dignity on Anzac Day.
May Anzac Day be marked with reflection, respect and care for veterans and their families.
Wishing communities a thoughtful and respectful Anzac Day commemoration.
May remembrance today be grounded in history, dignity and compassion.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs / Anzac Portal — Anzac Day 25 April (opens in a new tab)
Federal Government Commemoration Authority
Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs — Commemoration of Anzac Day across the years (opens in a new tab)
Federal Government History
Australian War Memorial — Anzac Day (opens in a new tab)
National Memorial Authority
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Anzac Day?
25 April The documented recurrence rule is: 25 April.
Does Anzac Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Anzac Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Australia / national day of commemoration under the Anzac Day Act 1995 (Cth). That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Anzac Day?
The reviewed sources identify Australian Government as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as George Pearce, Acting Prime Minister of Australia (official naming of 25 April as “Anzac Day” in 1916). Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Australian War Memorial for national commemoration resources/services, alongside state, territory and local organizers.
Is Anzac Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to Australia. Its fuller verified scope is: Australia / national day of commemoration under the Anzac Day Act 1995 (Cth).
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-30.
When is Anzac Day?
25 April every year.
Why is Anzac Day on 25 April?
It marks the anniversary of the Australian and New Zealand landings at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.
When was the first Anzac Day?
The first Anzac Day commemorations were held on 25 April 1916.
Is Anzac Day a national day of observance in Australia?
Yes. The Anzac Day Act 1995 (Cth) legislates it as a national day of observance.
Does a weekend Anzac Day always create a substitute public holiday?
Not under one uniform national rule. Each state and territory applies its own public-holiday legislation when 25 April falls on a weekend.
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