Australia Day, celebrated each year on January 26, is a national holiday to honor Australia’s past, present, and future. The date commemorates the raising of a British flag at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip in 1788. Phillip was captain of the First Fleet, a group of 11 ships that carried convicts from Britain to Australia. The arrival of the First Fleet resulted in the first permanent European settlement in Australia.
January 26 was first proclaimed an annual public holiday in the state of New South Wales in 1838. Other states in Australia began to regularly observe the holiday in later years. The day was called by various names in different states of Australia, including First Landing Day, Anniversary Day, or Foundation Day. In 1931, the state of Victoria introduced the name Australia Day. By 1946, all other states had officially adopted the name.
Australia Day is the country’s largest annual community celebration. It is marked by public events, such as citizenship ceremonies, flag raisings, concerts, and fireworks displays. The National Australia Day Council announces the Australian of the Year Awards on the eve of the holiday. Picnics and other family gatherings are also popular on this day.
Australia Day is also a day of controversy. In 1938, on the 150th anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival, about 100 Aboriginal people gathered in protest of Australia Day in Sydney. They viewed the arrival of the British settlers as a devastating turning point for the Indigenous peoples of Australia. The protesters labeled Australia Day as a day of mourning. Today, many of Australia’s Indigenous people, who include Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, refer to Australia Day as Invasion Day or Survival Day.
However, Australia Day has also developed into an inclusive celebration that recognizes the country’s original roots and cultures through Indigenous ceremonies. Today, Australia Day is meant to encourage Australians of all cultural backgrounds to celebrate their country.
