This collection of essays investigates the evolution of Anzac Day as a cultural and national institution seventy years after the Gallipoli landing. Edited by historians Michael McKernan and Peter Stanley, the volume compiles diverse perspectives to analyze how the memory of the First World War shaped Australian identity and public ritual. The authors examine the shift from immediate post-war mourning to the broader commemoration of national service and sacrifice.

The text serves as a scholarly examination of Australian commemorative practices, providing a dense historical framework for understanding the national psyche. Its focus on the intersection of public ritual and historical memory makes it a significant resource for students of Australian social history.