For a few people, the 25th of April is just another public holiday - but for tens of thousands more, it is a day to remember all those who fell during World War 1.

This annual public holiday is Anzac Day. 

Anzac stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and it has been celebrated every year since 1915. 

This date marks the first major military action fought by the New Zealand and Australian forces during World War 1, at Gallipoli (near Turkey). 

The neighbouring countries mark this anniversary every year, remembering not only those who died at Gallipoli but all those who showed courage and self-sacrifice for our country, in times of war.

The New Zealand Expeditionary Force left New Zealand in October 1914 and joined Australia to form the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps - ANZAC. 

In 1915, along with some British units, they set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey, in order to open the Dardanelles to the Allied forces. 

Our forces landed on the Gallipoli shore on the 25th of April and were met with fierce resistance. 

The battle ended eight months later, and a staggering 88 percent of servicemen from New Zealand were killed. 

A total of 2,721 died and 4,725 were badly injured (some died later).  

History tells us that the ‘infantry was not trained properly to land from the sea, was inadequately supplied with artillery shells, had no grenades, was without engineers or material for the construction of piers, was never fully supplied with other material and never reinforced quickly enough or in sufficient numbers.’

Due to this tremendous loss, New Zealand and Australia mark this day as ‘significant’ for the countries, as the actions of the combined forces left a powerful legacy.

The first Anzac memorial day was celebrated in 1916 - a year after Gallipoli - with processions, church services and public meetings. 

Today, tens of thousands still take part in the processions, attend church services and go to public meetings all over New Zealand. 

Anzac Day was officially made a public holiday in 1920 - and is still a public holiday today.

*The red poppy is commonly seen on Anzac Day. This flower has become a symbol of war remembrance all over the world. In other countries, the poppy is worn on Armistice Day (11 November).