The Controversy of Australia Day!!!
Australia celebrates the 26th of January as Australia Day, just like the Yankees celebrate the 4th of July. But it is not as grandiose like the 4th of July because it is marred with controversy and only few people celebrate it. There are no notable celebrations, fireworks or festivities like in other countries. Most importantly, the country is split on that day and questions have been raised the relevance of the day (26th Jan) as more people are now calling to be moved to another day and others are insisting that it should be left alone.
Why 26th of January?
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/australia/australia-day
"Background
January 26 marks the landing of the First Fleet, a convoy of 11 ships carrying convicts, at Port Jackson in 1788. This event represents the founding of the colony New South Wales (Sydney).
In 1818, on the 30th anniversary of the founding of the colony, the Governor of New South Wales (Sydney) gave all government employees a holiday. He also celebrated the day with a 30-gun salute and a ball. In the following years, employees of banks and other organizations were also given holidays.
Initially, it was only New South Wales (Sydney) that celebrated the day, and it was known as First Landing Day or Foundation Day. In 1838, 50 years after the First Fleet arrived, Foundation Day was declared Australia's first public holiday in New South Wales (Sydney).
By 1935, January 26 was known as Australia Day in all states except New South Wales (Sydney), where it was still called Anniversary Day. From 1946, January 26 was called Australia Day in all states and territories, and since 1994, the Australia Day public holiday has been on January 26 throughout the country.
Because it marks the day of colonization, Aboriginal Australians often feel that the celebrations on Australia Day exclude them. The day has been renamed Invasion Day, and protests do appear side-by-side the celebrations."
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/australia/australia-day
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated today across all over Australia calling for the day to be abolished because; 1) it offends the Indigenous people who consider it to be a day the British invaded them and took their country, 2) A Federation (all States and Territories were ruled separately via a governor on behalf of the Queen) was established on January 1, 1901 and that is the day Australia became an Independent nation, therefore, it should be celebrated that day.
Australia celebrates the 26th of January as Australia Day, just like the Yankees celebrate the 4th of July. But it is not as grandiose like the 4th of July because it is marred with controversy and only few people celebrate it. There are no notable celebrations, fireworks or festivities like in other countries. Most importantly, the country is split on that day and questions have been raised the relevance of the day (26th Jan) as more people are now calling to be moved to another day and others are insisting that it should be left alone.
Why 26th of January?
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/australia/australia-day
"Background
January 26 marks the landing of the First Fleet, a convoy of 11 ships carrying convicts, at Port Jackson in 1788. This event represents the founding of the colony New South Wales (Sydney).
In 1818, on the 30th anniversary of the founding of the colony, the Governor of New South Wales (Sydney) gave all government employees a holiday. He also celebrated the day with a 30-gun salute and a ball. In the following years, employees of banks and other organizations were also given holidays.
Initially, it was only New South Wales (Sydney) that celebrated the day, and it was known as First Landing Day or Foundation Day. In 1838, 50 years after the First Fleet arrived, Foundation Day was declared Australia's first public holiday in New South Wales (Sydney).
By 1935, January 26 was known as Australia Day in all states except New South Wales (Sydney), where it was still called Anniversary Day. From 1946, January 26 was called Australia Day in all states and territories, and since 1994, the Australia Day public holiday has been on January 26 throughout the country.
Because it marks the day of colonization, Aboriginal Australians often feel that the celebrations on Australia Day exclude them. The day has been renamed Invasion Day, and protests do appear side-by-side the celebrations."
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/australia/australia-day
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated today across all over Australia calling for the day to be abolished because; 1) it offends the Indigenous people who consider it to be a day the British invaded them and took their country, 2) A Federation (all States and Territories were ruled separately via a governor on behalf of the Queen) was established on January 1, 1901 and that is the day Australia became an Independent nation, therefore, it should be celebrated that day.
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