Australia Day is celebrated every year on 26 January to commemorate the establishment of Australia, which is also the official national day of that country. The Australian government and people start planning to celebrate this festival long in advance. This day is celebrated with great pomp in all the states of Australia. This day is a public holiday throughout Australia. On Australia Day, special celebrations are organized in every state of the country, people start gathering in any public place from early morning.
Know the history of this day
On 26 January 1788, Britain’s first fleet reached Sydney and the British flag was hoisted on this new land and British sovereignty was declared. Then it was named New Holland. This first fleet consisted of eleven ships filled with British criminals. These ships left Britain on 13 May 1787. There were 1487 passengers, of whom 778 were criminals. The captain of this fleet was Arthur Phillip. Britain’s plan was to settle this land and take control over it, as well as to send criminals away from Britain’s already overcrowded prisons.
During this journey, seven children were born and some fell ill and died. During this difficult journey, the ships were stopped and fresh water and food was taken. After stopping in Rio de Janeiro midway through the voyage, the fleet’s last stop was Cape Town, South Africa, on 13 October, where in addition to food, plants and animals were also taken, including cows, oxen, pigs, goats and sheep. Now in front was the vast expanse of ocean and a difficult journey, which ended after reaching Australia in January. This voyage lasted a total of 252 days and is considered a historic voyage of its time.
All these ships reached ‘Botany Bay’ in New South Wales between 18–20 January but had to leave due to strong winds, lack of fresh water and good soil. However, there he also came face to face with the Australian aborigines for the first time. On January 21, Captain Philip set out in a boat to look for another place, Port Jackson seemed suitable to him and finally on January 26, 1788, the ships anchored there. Captain Philip renamed it ‘Sydney Cove’ and hoisted the British flag and formally declared it as a British settlement. From then till today, Australians celebrate Australia Day to celebrate the birth of this new nation.
How is the national celebration held?
On Australia Day, special celebrations are organized in every state of the country, people start gathering from early morning in any public place like park etc. The flag is hoisted, there are speeches, there are parades at important places, music is organized, there is also a free bar-b-breakfast provided by the government, in which people eat bread rolls with sausage, for children. Various types of activities are organised. Children are very happy sitting in the basket of gas filled balloons, boat races take place and there is a festive atmosphere throughout the day.
There are also fireworks at night. New citizens are sworn in and given citizenship certificates. Australia Day awards are given in Canberra, the capital of Australia and the whole day is spent with laughter. Nowadays, some Indian origin organizations celebrate Australia and Republic Day together, apart from Indian dance, songs and speeches, Indian origin students are also given gifts and honors for high marks in high school.
as attack day
The Aboriginal people of Australia celebrate this day as the arrival of Europeans and the destruction of the original Aboriginal culture and nature. In 1938 it was named Day of Mourning. Later, due to objection from Australians, its name was changed to Invasion Day or ‘Survival Day’. Although the Aboriginals now consider themselves a part of Australia and the Australian government has provided special facilities in their interest, but this is an attempt to remember their history.
