Australian National Days

Australia Day - 26 January

Australia Day commemorates the beginning of settlement in Australia, when Governor Arthur Phillip landed at Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788. In 1838, the fiftieth anniversary of the landing, it was proclaimed a public holiday. Previous to that, as early as 1817 or 1818, there were celebrations in Sydney. In 1931 the name Australia Day was adopted nationally (it had been known as Anniversary Day and Foundation Day).

Until Australia's bicentenary in 1988, the holiday was held on the first Monday following 26 January in order to have a long weekend celebration. However, in 1988 it was held on the actual date, Tuesday 26 January. This practice has continued since.

Anzac Day - 25 April