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Australia
The first European to land at Australia is Dutch explorer Captain Willem Janszoon. -
Australia
English explorer William Dampier explores the western coast of Australia. -
Captain James Cook
Captain James Cook lands at Botany Bay with his ship, the HMS Endeavour. He then proceeds to map the eastern coast of Australia, claiming it for Great Britain. -
The First British
The first British settlement is established at Sydney by Captain Arthur Phillip. It is the start of the British penal colony which is made up of mostly prisoners. -
Australia
Australia is proven to be an island when English navigator Matthew Flinders completes his sail around the island. -
Australia
The Rum Rebellion occurs and the current governor, William Bligh, is arrested and removed from office. -
Australia
The name of the island is changed from "New Holland" to "Australia." -
Australia
The settlement of Perth is founded on the southwest coast. England lays claim to the entire continent of Australia -
Australia
The settlement of Port Phillip is established. It will later become the city of Melbourne. -
New Zealand
New Zealand becomes its own colony separate from New South Wales. -
Australia
The first elections are held for parliament. -
Australia
Gold is discovered in the southeast region of Victoria. Prospectors flock to the area in the Victoria Gold Rush. -
great britain
Great Britain stops sending convicts to Australia. It is estimated that around 160,000 convicts were shipped to Australia between 1788 and 1868. -
Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is formed. Edmund Barton serves as the first Prime Minister of Australia. The Australian national flag is adopted. -
The Japanese
The Japanese begin air raids of Australia. The Japanese invasion is stopped at the Battle of the Coral Sea. Australian forces defeat the Japanese at the Battle of Milne Bay.