answersLogoWhite

0

There is no simple, straightforward answer to this question, as Australia Day was created through a series of declarations and events.

It took over two hundred years for Australia Day to be celebrated annually and consistently as a public holiday, Australia-wide. The first celebrations of the landing of the First Fleet were held in 1791. By 1804, 26 January was referred to as First Landing Day or Foundation Day. From that year onwards, informal celebrations were carried out in Sydney, especially among freed convicts.

Governor Lachlan Macquarie officially designated 26 January 1818 as a public holiday, but only for that year, being the 30th anniversary.

26 January 1838 was also declared a public holiday, as it was the Jubilee year (50th anniversary). However, it wasn't until 1871 that particular groups such as the Australian Natives' Association (referring to Australian-born people of European heritage, not the indigenous people) began to advocate not only a permanent public holiday on 26 January, but also Federation of the colonies. This same Association (Victorian chapter) pushed to have 26 January 1931 celebrated as Australia Day on a Monday, creating a long weekend. Other states and territories followed suit by 1935, but Australia Day was still not a public holiday every year. In 1935 the term "Australia Day" was used among all of Australia's states and territories to mark the anniversary of this first white settlement

1946 saw the formation of the Australia Day Celebrations Committee for the purpose of increasing public awareness of the significance of Australia Day. This was the precursor to the establishment of the National Australia Day Committee in Canberra in 1979, which then became the National Australia Day Council in 1984.

Events such as the Indigenous rights movement on the 150th anniversary in 1938, and the bicentenary (200 year) celebrations of 1988 also contributed to the development of Australia Day as a public holiday across the whole nation.

Finally, as late as 1994, Australia Day celebrations were formally recognised as an annual event.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

On which date does Australia celebrate Australia Day?

Australia celebrates Australia Day on 26 January.


What is Labor Day in Australia?

Labor Day in Australia is called Labour Day.


What type of festivals does australia have?

Australians celebrated Australia Day which is a national day filled with festivals and celebrations. Australia Day is known as the anniversary of the day Europeans came to Australia in 1788.


What date is Wattle Day?

Wattle Day is every first of September every year. Wattle day was made around 1992 and is a day to celebrate Australia's beautiful flowers.


Is Australia Day celebrated on the same day in each state of Australia?

Yes. All states and territories of Australia celebrate Australia Day on 26 January.


What is Labor Day called in Australia?

Labor Day in Australia is called Labour Day.


What are a few special celebrations in Australia?

Australia Day, ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day


When is the shortest day in sydney?

In Sydney, Australia, the shortest day would be the 21st of June.In Sydney, Australia, the shortest day would be the 21st of June.In Sydney, Australia, the shortest day would be the 21st of June.In Sydney, Australia, the shortest day would be the 21st of June.In Sydney, Australia, the shortest day would be the 21st of June.In Sydney, Australia, the shortest day would be the 21st of June.In Sydney, Australia, the shortest day would be the 21st of June.In Sydney, Australia, the shortest day would be the 21st of June.In Sydney, Australia, the shortest day would be the 21st of June.In Sydney, Australia, the shortest day would be the 21st of June.In Sydney, Australia, the shortest day would be the 21st of June.


What present-day continents made up gondwana?

The present-day continents that made up Gondwana are South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, the Indian subcontinent, and the Arabian Peninsula.


When does Australia celebrate its Children's Day?

Australia does not celebrate a "Children's Day".


When is Teachers' Day in Australia?

Teachers' Day in Australia is on the last Friday in October.


What day was Australia day in 2009?

Australia Day is always January 26th. In 2009, it falls out on a Monday.