Thursday, Jan. 26
THEN
On Jan. 26, 1788, a fleet of 11 British ships led by Capt. Arthur Phillip docks at what is now Sydney Cove, Australia. Phillip was charged by the British government to establish an agricultural work camp for British convicts on the newly discovered continent. Phillip decides the region surrounding the cove is a good place to settle, with the bay offering protection for the ships. The first few years are particularly challenging for the new colony of sailors and convicts. Inexperienced as farmers, they must learn to till the land, which offers few appetizing edibles. After overcoming a period of hardship, the colony begins to celebrate the anniversary of their arrival with great fanfare. Records show celebrations on Jan. 26 go back as far as 1808, and the first official celebration held in 1818.
NOW
Today, Jan. 26 is Australia Day, a national holiday celebrating the arrival of the first British settlers. A public holiday in every state and territory of Australia, it is the biggest annual civic celebration for the nation. The day includes citizenship ceremonies as well as speeches from the governor general and prime minister. Australians celebrate the late summer holiday with community festivals, concerts, barbecues, picnics, and outdoor fun. However, it is also not without controversy. Most years in recent times have also seen protests by indigenous Australians who have dubbed Jan. 26 “Invasion Day.” There have also been various movements to move the national day to a different date to avoid alienating aboriginal Australians, and to disconnect the day from Australia’s convict past, among other reasons.
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