deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.)

The national flag of Australia. It consists of a blue field with what we call the Union Jack in the canton (the upper left, hoist side) this is similar to the British Maritime Ensign. The field is, the proper term is ‘defaced’, with the commonwealth star.

The Commonwealth Star is a 7 pointed star denoting the fact that Australia is a part of the British empire.

On the other side of the field are the five stars of the southern cross. There is one small star that has five points and four stars that have seven points

The design was adopted in 1901 after a competition and then was approved by the King of England in 1908. In 1953, Australia passed the Flag Act (the US also has what we call the US Flag Code) with strict guidelines for how the flag may be used. Unlike the US Flag Code the Australian Flag Act has ‘teeth’ with penalties for misuse of the flag.

Today, April 25, is Anzac Day. Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia, New Zealand and Tonga that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served”. Observed on 25 April each year, Anzac Day was originally devised to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps(ANZAC) who served in the Gallipoli campaign, their first engagement in the First World War (1914–1918).

The Battle of Gallipoli was a military campaign in the First World War on the Gallipoli Peninsula (now Gelibolu) from 19 February 1915 to 9 January 1916. The battle pitted England, France and Russia against The Ottomen Empire, also called the Turkish Empire, who controlled much of Southeast Europe, sections of West Asia and much of Northern Africa. Control of this peninsula would determine who controls the majority of this part of the world.

It was a significant battle in WWI. And it was the first time that troops from Australia, New Zealand and Tonga took part in a war in the world. Anzac Day is a day to remember all soldiers from Australia, New Zealand, and Tonga.

It is taken so seriously that in both Australia and New Zealand it is against the law to use the word Anzac for any commerical or trade purposes. It carries a heavy fine and prison time. The one almost exception is what has become known as an ‘Anzac Biscuit’ (remember in America we call them cookies.) It is a famous oatmeal cookie on sale during Anzac celebrtations.