Why is Australia Day celebrated every January 26?

Trish Martin - The Dreamer

Travel Guides Australia Why is Australia Day celebrated every January 26?

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Australia Day on 26 January marks a significant date in Australian history, one that has evolved over time. Initially conceived as a celebration for emancipated convicts, today it represents a crucial moment to acknowledge and learn from the mistakes of the past. 🇦🇺

What is being celebrated?

On this significant day in 1788, Arthur Phillip arrived in what is now Sydney Harbour with a shipload of convicts and raised the British flag, marking the beginning of the European presence.

Initially known as Foundation Day in the early 1800s, the celebration was limited to private dinners hosted by New South Wales politicians and businessmen. Over time, it was renamed Anniversary Day. In 1836, the first Anniversary Regatta was held on Sydney Harbour, evolving into the prestigious Australia Day Regatta, recognised as the oldest sailing regatta in the world. On the 150th anniversary, Australia Day was officially declared a public holiday.

How is Australia Day celebrated?

Open-air concerts, community barbecues, sporting competitions, festivals and fireworks displays take place across Australia.

For ordinary Aussies, Australia Day is a day for picnics, barbecues and attending sporting events.

A celebration not so shared

Invasion Day, that's what it is for some Australians, especially among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. For indigenous Australians, the date symbolised invasion and an irreparable impact on their culture, land and people, giving them no reason to celebrate.

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