Australia is commemorating the centenary of World War I which was declared 100 years ago on August the 4th 1914 at 23:00.
Known as The Great War the bloody conflict resulted in the deaths of nine-million combatants and Australia paid a huge sacrifice with the loss of more than sixty-thousand soldiers.
Today Prime Minister Tony Abbott laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra where a national commemoration service will be held this evening in honour of the historic event.
The Prime Minister touched on the importance of the day as he addressed the audience from the Roll of Honor.
“They are not just a list,” said Mr Abbott.
“Behind each name there is a story and ultimately we wish to know all those stories.
“The events of 100 years ago still reverberate around the world today, and these stories, good and not so good, can help to shape us and to shape our times.
“Over the next four years we should reflect on the tragedy and the magnificence of the human condition.”
Meanwhile Europe will remember 100 years since the war began with various events across the continent.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s sentiments reflected those of Mr Abbott when he discussed what the centenary would mean to Great Britain.
“A hundred years ago today Britain entered the First World War and we are marking that centenary to honour those who served, to remember those who died, and to ensure that the lessons learnt live with us forever,” British Prime Minister David Cameron told the BBC.
“It is right to remember the extraordinary sacrifice of a generation and we are all indebted to them because their most enduring legacy is our liberty.”
Mr Cameron will be joined by the Prince of Wales in Glasgow for a national service of commemoration, while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry will join world leaders for events in Belgium.
The British royals will be joined by the King and Queen of Belgium as well as senior representatives from the UK, France, Ireland, Canada and Germany at the small St Symphorien Cemetery, outside the town of Mons – a burial ground which rests an almost equal number of German and Commonwealth graves.
On Sunday, the French and German leaders commemorated the 100th anniversary of Germany’s declaration of war on France on 3 August 1914.
