The Gallipoli Campaign was a particularly significant event in history because it came at a time when Australia had only just become a federal commonwealth, trying to assert her place alongside a collection of nations with thousands of years of history. In the eyes of the rest of the world, Australia had no eminent military history and no distinct cultural characteristics as a nation. Gallipoli was the first opportunity for Australia to earn the respect of other nations and to show the world her strong national character.
The Anzac legend is also important because it encourages Australians to remember the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country. The legend has made such an impression on Australians that we continue to commemorate the landing of the ANZAC soldiers on the shores of Gallipoli on 25 April each year.
There are not many Australians who are not familiar with the Anzac legend. In just about every Australian family there is an ancestor who has served, not just in World War I but in any of the wars or major conflicts in Australia's history. Younger generations are also having the legend passed down to them. It is taught in primary and secondary school curricula nationwide and Anzac day ceremonies are held annually at schools.
The Anzac legend is a large and heartening part of Australian culture. For that reason, people who question the relevance of the Anzac legend are often regarded as unpatriotic. As a consequence, it is not widely known that people argue that there are negative implications and repercussions of the legend itself.