Leevi & Sarahs Travel Blog

26 January 1788 was the date on which the First Fleet, under Captain Arthur Phillip arrived at Sydney Cove and set up the Colony of New South Wales. Formal possession, including the reading of Phillip’s Commission, took place on 7 February.By 1808 the day that the Rum Corps arrested Governor Bligh, it was being celebrated as ‘First Landing’ or ‘Foundation Day’. In 1818 (the 30th anniversary) Governor Macquarie had a 30-gun salute at Dawes Point and gave government workers a holiday - a tradition that was soon followed by banks and other public offices.In 1888 all colonial capitals (with the exception of Adelaide) celebrated ‘Anniversary Day’ and by 1935 all states of Australia were celebrating January 26 as Australia Day (although it was still known as Anniversary Day in NSW).The 1938 sesquicentenary (150th anniversary) of British settlement in New South Wales in 1788 was widely celebrated. Preparations began in 1936 with the formation of a Celebrations Council. In that year, NSW was the only state to abandon the traditional long weekend and the annual Anniversary Day public holiday was held on the actual anniversary day - Wednesday 26 January.

In 1946 the Commonwealth and State governments agreed to unify the celebrations on 26 January as ‘Australia Day’, although the public holiday was instead taken on the Monday closest to 26 January.

Since 1994 all states and territories have taken the Australia Day public holiday on 26 January.

For many Aboriginal Australians and sympathisers, the celebrations arouse hostility; there has been some comment on how the arrival of the British adversely affected the indigenous people of the country. They call the day “Invasion Day” as they regard it as celebrating the decimation of their people, the confiscation of their lands and the destruction of their culture. In recent years, some indigenous Australians have also celebrated the day as “Survival Day,” thankful that their ancestors were not completely wiped out by the newly arrived settlers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_Day

So to all aussies living at home or abroad raise a pint, pot schooner or middy of Cooper, VB or Carlton in honour of the great nation that is Australia.

Happy Birthday Emma!