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Australia Day |
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Australia Day
a public holiday in Australia, commemorating the landing of the British in 1788: observed on the first Monday after January 26 Australia Day January 26 The anniversary of the first British settlement in Australia on January 26, 1788, was formerly known as Foundation Day or Anniversary Day . Captain Arthur Phillip and his company of British convicts arrived first at Botany Bay, and when that proved to be an unsuitable location they moved on to Port Jackson, where the city of Sydney was eventually established. They built a penal colony there to help relieve overcrowding in the British prisons. First officially celebrated in Sydney in 1818, Australia Day has been a public holiday since 1838. It used to be observed on either January 26 or the nearest Monday, but since 1994 it has been observed on January 26 with celebrations all over the country. CONTACTS: National Australia Day Council Old Parliament House King George Terr. Parkes, ACT 2600 Australia 61-2-6120-0600; fax: 61-2-6273-6277 www.australiaday.gov.au SOURCES: AnnivHol-2000, p. 14 DictDays-1988, p. 7 IntlThFolk-1979, p. 11 NatlHolWrld-1968, p. 16 Celebration day: Jan 26 Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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