Australia Day

For some people, Australia Day can be a day of mourning or it can be a day of nationalism and some important events happen on this day. Australia Day can mean many things to different people. Australians celebrate the history of their nation by coming together to observe everything wonderful about Australia on January 26th.

The history of this holiday has been a very long one from way back in the late 1700’s. “On the morning of 26 January 1788, Phillip, with a group of officers, marines and some convicts, went ashore to raise the English flag, drink a toast, and fire a volley of shots” (“First Settlement at Sydney Cove” par. 3). This quote explains how the first Australia Day was celebrated. It also explains when Australia was founded and by whom. “Feeling a new sense of patriotism, the men began to rally around January 26 as their founding day… in 1808 the men observed the anniversary of the foundation of the colony with drinking and merriment” (“This Day In History” par. 4). This quote gives people a date of when the men of Australia starting to be patriotic about their new nation. “In December 1790, after Aboriginals had speared one of his servants, Governor Phillip decided on a punitive raid on the offending tribe �in order to convince them of our superiority, and infuse an universal terror’ ” (Knightley 108). What this quote is saying is that not all of the history of this day is pleasant. For the Indigenous people of Australia, their history hasn’t been the best.

The Indigenous Australians have had a rough past with loss and suffering. “For many Indigenous Australians 26th of January is an occasion to reflect on past loss and suffering” (“Including Indigenous People” par. 1). The quote tells a reason why and what Australians celebrate Australia Day. I think that the Indigenous people also reflect on the bravery and courage their ancestors had. “Today, Australia Day serves both as a day of celebration for the founding of the white British settlement, and as a day of mourning for the Aborigines who were slowly dispossessed of their land as white colonization spread across the continent” (“This Day In History” par. 5). The quote explains what Australia Day is all about. Australia Day is big on celebrations to commemorate the people, ancestors, and their nation.

There are many celebrations that take place on holiday. “There are four award categories: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year (60 years and over), Young Australian of the Year (16 to 25 years), and Australia's Local Hero” (“About the Australian of the Year Awards” par. 2). This quote explains who receives the awards. “The Citizenship ceremony will legally formalize the citizenship