“Anzac” can only refer to one thing: the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which formed in 1914 to fight for the British in the First World War. Their tragic losses at the Battle of Gallipoli captured the world’s attention the following year. After the war, “Anzac” became a nickname for Australians in general, much as we use “Aussie” today. In 1925, as Los Angeles was preparing to annex the city of Watts, Aurora Avenue and the southern tip of Fir Street were renamed Anzac Avenue, presumably in tribute to the soldiers from Down Under. It’s not known whether any Australians or New Zealanders were involved in this decision.
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