Anzac Day

Turkey, Australia, New Zealand and Britain? What do they have in common? This week not only these countries, but the entire world remembered the heroes of the Gallipoli Campaign on the centenary of the historic battle. Was it important only because of its "nation building" effect on Australians and New Zealanders?

Thousands of poppies were being added to a memorial "wall" at Sydney's Circular Quay on March 3 in memory of Australian and New Zealand soldiers who died in World War I's Gallipoli campaign.
      
The two-metre structure in the shape of a "100" marks the upcoming century since the April 25, 2015 landing of troops on the peninsula in what is now Turkey.
      

As part of Ankara's charm offensive ahead of the centennial anniversary of the mass killings of Anatolian Armenians, President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has taken the unprecedented diplomatic step of extending an invitation to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan to ceremonies marking the centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli in Çanakkale in late April, which coincides with the Armenian remembrance day.

Crown Prince Charles and Prince William of Great Britain, as well as Australian actor Russell Crowe, are scheduled to attend the centennial of the Battle of Gallipoli in Çanakkale in late April.

Australians and New Zealanders who come to Gallipoli to mark Anzac Day may soon have to remove wine and beer from their morning menu when commemorating their forefathers who died fighting the Ottomans during World War I, if a new bill in the Turkish Parliament passes.