History of Australia Day - About The Day And Celebrations
Just like any other country, Australia observes National Day on January 26. Read the guide to know about the official date, facts, and celebrations.

As we all are aware, the French celebrate Bastille Day on July 14. Americans celebrate National Day as Independence Day on July 4. Similarly, like other countries, Australia's National Day is marked on January 26 and is recognized as Australia Day. The practice of considering Australia Day as a national holiday was first established in Sydney in the early 19th century and is still followed to the present day.
The day has been on and off the debate for changing its date and renaming it with other terms like Survival Day or Invasion Day. Let's learn more about the history of Australia Day through the Australian Punjabi news channel.
Origin of January 26
The history traces back to 1788, celebrating the arrival of Captain Arthur Phillip in Sydney and hosting the British flag at the site. Later, in the early 1800s, the day was called Foundation Day, and it was celebrated in New South Wales with dinners. Then, it was called Anniversary Day in 1836, and the day was finally officially publicly celebrated in 1838 on the 50th anniversary of the settlement. Finally, in 1988, January 26 became a national public holiday in Australia.
Celebrations of Australia Day
The core hub of all the activities for the day is Regatta Point. Citizens can enjoy artists' performances and witness cultural programs with ample food varieties. On the other hand, New South Wales plans a long list of activities on Australia Day. The iconic Sydney Harbour event and fireworks steal the entire show of the day.
In Victoria, one can witness an early-morning flag-hosting ceremony where the day is ended with fireworks. Other states also observe free events in places like libraries and museums, which offer cultural shows for the citizens.
Was January 26 always a celebration?
The date of January 26 was made a national public holiday in 1838 on the 50th anniversary. Before that, the day was referred to as Foundation Day and later as Anniversary Day.
The debate to change the date and name of the day was popular, but there was no official or clear alternate date to mark the day. The possible date in the talk was the date of formation of the federation on January 1, 1901, or July 9, when Queen Victoria permitted the Constitution of Australia.
But for now, the day January 26 is observed as Australia Day.
Conclusion
Australia Day is more than all the events that happen in the country; it is more about the history of the country, what the nation is, and more. The day - January 26, has evolved with time and holds utmost importance. People must take the opportunity to reflect on the complex history of the country and gain knowledge and awareness of the past to lay a strong foundation for the future.
People also respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' survival, resilience, and over 65,000 years of continuous culture by listening to stories and contributions of Australians who have worked for the values and freedom that the country enjoys today.
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