Every year, on the 26^th January, Australia celebrates Australia Day. I'm always asked lots of questions about it. For example, why? Is this your Independence Day? Don’t you have a King in England? Is this the day that Australia was discovered? What do Australians do on this day? Well, if you are interested in this, keep reading.

Firstly, Australia Day is a public holiday. This means the majority of businesses close for the day. Some big shops, restaurants and service stations (where you get fuel for your car) remain open. However, I hope that their staff are paid penalty rates (extra money).

Australia Day does NOT celebrate the day that Australia was discovered. In fact, Australia was ‘discovered’ 50,000 to 60,000 years ago by the Aboriginals, our First Nations People/indigenous. However, if you are talking about being discovered by the English, a British explorer called Captain Cook discovered Australia on the 29^th of April 1770. This is not Australia Day.

Australia Day celebrates the arrival of Captain Arthur Phillip on the 26^th January 1788. Captain Phillip sailed from England with 11 boats. On these boats, were soldiers, wives, settlers and about 700 convicts (=prisoners). These boats are called ‘The first fleet’. There would be many more fleets after this one as England continued to send convicts and free settlers to Australia. England intended to use this country as a prison settlement. On the 26^th January, Captain Phillip declared that this country would be called ‘New South Wales’ and belonged to the Queen of England. Australia was not called 'Australia' on the 26th January 1788. The word, Australia, was not used to describe this country until 1817!

Are we independent?  Well, yes and no. We are independent. Australia is a sovereign nation. We have our government, elections and military. We have our own currency, passports and taxation system. We do not pay taxes to the UK or royal family. However, we still have the King of England who presides over us and we are still part of the Commonwealth. If you are confused, don’t worry we are too!

Today, Australia Day is a tricky subject. Obviously, for indigenous Australians, it is the day that their land was invaded by the English and their people would suffer for 100s of years. In fact, many people call it Invasion Day. In some places, there are protests or mourning ceremonies. Many people would like to see the day’s celebration changed to another date. 

Most Australians probably don't celebrate Australia Day. However, they celebrate 'a day off work'. Most people celebrate with a barbeque or relax at home with friends. If it is a long weekend, people might travel. There are parades and events in every city. Every year, new citizens are welcomed into the country with citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day too.

Happy Australia Day to you!