Go to home page - New Zealand History online

What happened that day?

Pages tagged with: national identity

Anzac Day
First observed in 1916, Anzac Day - 25 April - commemorates those killed in war as well as honouring returned servicemen and women. The ceremonies that are held at war memorials across the country, or in places overseas where New Zealanders gather, are rich in tradition and ritual.
Background - the Gallipoli campaign

Things had reached a stalemate on the Western Front by the end of 1914. An assault on the Dardanelles by the British and its allies would, it was believed, knock the Ottoman Empire out of the war. 

Landing plans - the Gallipoli campaign
The British landings on Gallipoli in April 1915 relied on careful timing and an underestimation of the ability of the Turkish defenders. 
Conditions on Gallipoli - the Gallipoli campaign

Conditions were tough on Gallipoli. The weather, death and disease took an enormous toll.

The August offensive - the Gallipoli campaign

With the situation at Helles stalled, British attention turned to Anzac. The plan was to capture the high points on the Sari Bair range. 

The end of the campaign - the Gallipoli campaign

The August offensive settled the outcome of the Gallipoli campaign. By the end of October 1915, the British had decided to evacuate.

This site is produced by the History Group of the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Meet the NZHistory.net.nz team