The History of Australia Day. (SBS Sinhalese/ Article)

According to the National Australia Day Council, they had been living for more than 60,000 years on this land.

Source: SBS

Aboriginal land (Before 1788)

Aboriginal people are the real local residence of the continent which we now know as Australia.

According to the National Australia Day Council, they had been living for more than 60,000 years on this land.

In the 13th century Europeans were interesting to find more details about Asia and the land in East.

Aboriginal in outback. Source: Getty Images

22 August 1770

On 22 August 1770, Captain James Cook reached the east coast of Australia and came to the tip of Queensland. Then he raised the Union Jack. Now it calls Possession Island.

Source: Getty Images

26 January 1788

The history stated that Australia’s British colony officially began on 26 January 1788, since the first fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain arrived in Sydney Cove on that day.

Captain Arthur Philip was the commander of those 11 ships and he raised the Union Jack on 26 January 1788 to symbolise the beginning of the colony.

Source: State Library of Victoria

The year 1804

In 1804, Sydney Gazette commenced referring 26 January as “First landing day” or “Foundation Day”, National Australia Day Council stated.

Sydney people in those days were drinking and having anniversary dinners for celebrating this day. Later those dinners became customary.

Source: www.timetoast.com

The year 1817

Captain Mathew Flinders recommended calling this continent as Australia.

Source: Royal Museum Greenwich

The year 1818

30th anniversary of the first fleet landed.

Governor Macquarie accepted Captain Mathew Flinders’ recommendation and started to call Australia to this land and also he officially approved 26 January as a public holiday.

Source: www.waltzingmorethanmatilda.com

The year 1838

In 1838, this event marked its 50th anniversary and celebrated the jubilee.

The year 1888

Until 1888, this celebration only conducted in New South Wales. But in 1888 Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and also New Zealand combined with NSW to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first fleet landed.

Then it became an Australian National event and the day known as Foundation day.