Australia Day
Guide to the date, history, cultural origins and celebration traditions of Australia Day in Australia.
History & Origins of Australia Day
Australia Day, celebrated on January 26th, commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of British ships commanded by Governor Arthur Phillip at Port Jackson (modern-day Sydney) on January 26, 1788, who raised the Union Jack to declare a British penal colony. The day also serves as an important point of reflection on the subsequent impact of colonization on Indigenous Australians, who refer to it as 'Survival Day' or 'Invasion Day'.
How It Is Observed & Celebrated
Celebrated with major outdoor community breakfasts, citizenship ceremonies welcoming new immigrants, backyard pool barbecues, ferry races in Sydney Harbour, and attending local triple j Hottest 100 countdown music parties.
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