AUSTRALIA DAY

On 13 May 1787, a fleet of 11 ships now known as the First Fleet was sent by the British Admiralty from England to Australia. Under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip, the fleet sought to establish a penal colony at Botany Bay on the coast of what is now called New South Wales.

It had already been claimed for the British crown in 1770 by Captain James Cook RN.

When this first fleet arrived it did not seem suitable although today it’s a busy thriving place.

So they moved on to Port Jackson, Captain Phillips decided to name it Sydney cove now known the world over as Sydney, contact was made with a few local natives upon landing

This small settlement was much needed as Great Britain had lost their Americans colonies, there were a couple of French ships loitering it was a kind of race I guess.

Most of the British ships finally managed to get out of Botany Bay and landed in Sydney cove on the 26^th of January 1788.

There are Tall Ships all sorts of things occur on this date on this day in our history, as I say at the end of this blog.

Today this is celebrated by all or most Australians as Australia day, it has been called various names, but Australia day got the nod.

I am forever receiving e-mails when it is the Americans thanksgiving why they do this is a complete mystery, my contacts all know where I live.

They rarely if ever mention we too have a day to celebrate, unless you mention it then it's a rush job.

All manner of things are done on this day in all the states including awarding citizenship and very much more, breakfasts, naming of the Aussie of the year and awarding our own awards like the order of Australia etc;

Sourced from State library of NSW