Australia Day is celebrated each year on January 26 to commemorate the day that Sydney Cove was the arrival point of the First Fleet. As time has passed, it has become a day to celebrate the diverse communities and the makeup of all those who reside there. There are events and celebrations across the country, and many include reflecting upon the history, spending time with friends and family, and awards for those who have joined the community or who have done great things for their communities.
History
The entire country did not celebrate this day until 1935, and it did not become a public holiday by all of the states and the territories within Australia until 1994. It was chosen as the federation created from colonies throughout Australia looked for a day to celebrate their unity. While it is widely accepted in many areas that it is a day of celebration, there are some Aboriginal Australians who see it as a day of mourning. They see it as the day that the British invaded the land and began creating colonies.
Current Celebrations
One of the most popular current celebrations is the welcoming of new citizens. These ceremonies are held around the country on this day, along with other civic ceremonies. Other celebrations include BBQs with family and friends, concerts, and even festivals and large community BBQs that include anyone who wants to attend. Sports games and competitions are often held on this day or over the long weekend when it falls on a Monday or a Friday, including boat races and racing ferries. Sydney holds a parade each year and ends the day with a concert and fireworks in the park. Some towns will focus on the history of the day, and schools will teach the history leading up to it. This keeps the current celebrations connected to the past and the reasons for it.
Pressure to Change the Date
As some Australians consider the date to be a reminder, and celebration, of the colonization of the country by the British and the negative impact that it had on the indigenous people, there is some pressure to change the date of Australia Day. Some mark the passing of the day as the Day of Mourning rather than as a celebration and consider it a commemoration of the loss of culture that occurred. Others call it Invasion Day in reference to a 1988 gathering of Aboriginal people who sought to bring attention to the loss of the Indigenous culture from before that time. Alternative dates that have been offered are the Federation of Australia, to be celebrated on January 1. However, this is already a holiday, so the proposed Commonwealth Day on this date is not gathering the needed support. Instead, January 19 has been proposed, as well as Independence Day on March 3, Anzac Day on April 25, and Acceptance of the Constitution on July 9.
