What happened on Australia Day?
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Observed annually on 26 January, it marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove and raising of the Union Flag by Arthur Phillip following days of exploration of Port Jackson in New South Wales.
What are some major events that happened in Australia?
Here are just 13 of the many events that have shaped our nation.
- Archaeological Discovery.
- Willem Janszoon.
- Arrival of the First Fleet.
- Gold Rush.
- Eureka Stockade.
- Federation of Australia.
- Australian Woman Suffrage.
- Gallipoli Landing.
How many Aboriginal peoples were killed in Australia?
After European settlers arrived in 1788, thousand of aborigines died from diseases; colonists systematically killed many others. At first contact, there were over 250,000 aborigines in Australia. The massacres ended in the 1920 leaving no more than 60,000.
Who was the first white person in Australia?
While Indigenous Australians have inhabited the continent for tens of thousands of years, and traded with nearby islanders, the first documented landing on Australia by a European was in 1606. The Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon landed on the western side of Cape York Peninsula and charted about 300 km of coastline.
Why did the Waterloo Creek massacre happen?
In 1865, at least 300 Aboriginals were killed by ‘native police’ in Queensland’s far west near the New South Wales and South Australian border. Researchers claim the mass-attack happened after station owner, John Dowling, was killed, prompting his brother, Vincent, to seek revenge with a ‘posse of settlers’.
Why do we celebrate Australia Day on 26 January?
Australia Day, on 26 January, commemorates the day in 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet of 11 British ships, arrived at Sydney Cove to signal the birth of the colony.
What is Australia’s relationship with its national day?
More than most other nations, perhaps, Australia has a relaxed relationship to its national day. Australia Day, on 26 January, commemorates the day in 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet of 11 British ships, arrived at Sydney Cove to signal the birth of the colony.
How has Australia Day changed over time?
Like all national days, the significance attached to Australia Day has changed over time. It is also, in its current form, relatively new. Not until 1994 was there consistently a national public holiday on 26 January, rather than on the nearest Monday.
What happened in 2016 in Australia?
31 January – Tennis: Novak Djokovic wins the 2016 Australian Open – Men’s Singles, defeating Andy Murray 6–1, 7–5, 7–6. 13 February – Rugby League: The 2016 All Stars match is won by the new World All Stars team, who defeat the Indigenous All Stars 12–8.