Australia Day

On January 26, 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip took formal possession of the colony of New South Wales and became its first Governor. The colony soon began to celebrate the anniversary of this date. The first official celebrations were held in 1818 to mark the 30th anniversary of white settlement.

During the early nineteenth century the anniversary was called 'Foundation Day' and was usually marked by sporting events. Horseracing was popular in the 1820s, whilst regattas became popular in the 1830s. Fifty years after Phillip landed Australia's first public holiday was announced to celebrate Foundation Day 1838. The inaugural holiday became an annual event and has continued to be held on or around January 26.

Finally, in 1946, the Commonwealth Government, States and Territories agreed to observe one national day 'Australia Day' under one banner and on the same day.

Source: http://www.australiaday.com.au/education.html

Adam and I celebrated the day with watching parachouters jump into the harbor in front of the opera house, then a RAAF air show above the opera house, and the day ended with a show and firework display at Darling Harbour.