ANZAC Day

Today is ANZAC Day in Australia and New Zealand. Originally it marked the anniversary of troops landing at Gallipoli to fight the Ottoman Empire in World War I, but now it's a national holiday to honour the men and women who have served in the armed forces of Australia and New Zealand. Because it marks the anniversary of the start of the fighting in Gallipoli, the service at the war memorial was held at 5:30am to coincide with when the battle commenced.

Later in the day, there was a parade along the esplanade in Cairns.

Just like in Canada and other Commonwealth nations, Australia does observe Remembrance Day on November 11, but ANZAC Day is a much bigger deal.

Completely unrelated to ANZAC Day, this Norwegian tall ship is in Cairns for a port visit.

The name of the ship is Sorlandet and it's a floating high school and it's in the middle of a round the world journey. That's a pretty cool way to get through high school.

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