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The First European Landing
The Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship Duyfken, under Captain Willem Janszoon, explored the western coast of Cape York Peninsula. This was the first recorded landfall by a European on Australian soil. -
Captain Cook's Landing
English Lieutenant James Cook's expedition in HM Bark Endeavour charted the eastern coast, and claimed it for the British Crown. -
The Landing of The First Fleet
The remaining seven ships of the First Fleet, led by HMS Sirius, anchored in Botany Bay.
Deciding that Botany Bay was unsuitable for settlement, Lt. Arthur Phillip set out with a party in three open boats to seek out another site. -
First Settlement
Early in the morning, Lt. Arthur Phillip took a party ashore Sydney Cove, raised the British colours and British sovereignty. This day is now celebrated as Australia Day. -
Settlement of Van Diemen’s Land
A settlement was founded at Risdon on the Derwent River in Van Diemen's Land by Lieutenant Bowen. -
Rum Rebellion Starts
The Rum Rebellion was the only successful armed takeover of government in Australian history. The Governor of New South Wales, William Bligh, was deposed by the New South Wales Corps under the command of Major George Johnston, working closely with John Macarthur, on 26 January 1808. Afterwards, the colony was ruled by the military, with the senior military officer stationed in Sydney acting as the Lieutenant-Governor of the colony until the arrival from Britain of Major-General Lachlan Macquarie -
Rum Rebellion Finishes
The Rum Rebellion was the only successful armed takeover of government in Australian history. The Governor of New South Wales, William Bligh, was deposed by the New South Wales Corps under the command of Major George Johnston, working closely with John Macarthur, on 26 January 1808. Afterwards, the colony was ruled by the military, with the senior military officer stationed in Sydney acting as the Lieutenant-Governor of the colony until the arrival from Britain of Major-General Lachlan Macquarie -
City of Swan River Created
The settlement of Perth was founded. Swan River Colony was declared by Charles Fremantle for Britain. -
Colony of Victoria created (Victoria separated from NSW)
Victoria separated from New South Wales. -
Gold Rush Begins
The Victorian Gold Rush started when gold was found at Summerhill Creek and Ballarat. -
Convict Transportation Ends
The last convict ship to be sent from England, the St. Vincent, arrived in 1853, and on 10 August 1853 celebrations were held for the ceasing of transportation to Australia. -
Eureka Stockade
The Eureka Rebellion was an organised rebellion of gold miners of Ballarat against the colonial authority of the United Kingdom. The Battle of Eureka Stockade was fought between miners and the Colonial forces of Australia. Resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people, the majority of which were insurgents, it was the most significant conflict in the colonial history of Victoria. -
Stolen Generation
Children of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are removed from their families by Australian and State government agencies. This practice lasted 100 years. -
Uluru
Uluru was first sighted by Europeans, and named Ayers Rock. -
VFL
Victorian Football League is Founded -
Federation
Australia becomes a federation. Edmund Barton becomes the 1st Prime Minister of Australia; the 7th Earl of Hopetoun becomes Governor-General -
World War I Starts
Australian soldiers are sent to the First World War. This was first time Australians had fought under the Australian flag, as opposed to that of Britain's. -
World War I Ends
First World War ends – 60,000 Australians dead. This date is now know and celebrated as Remembrance Day. -
Phar Lap Wins his 1st Melbourne Cup
Par Lap won his first and only Melbourne Cup. -
World War II Starts
Australia enters the Second World War following the German Invasion of Poland. The 2nd Australian Imperial Force is raised. -
World War II Ends
Japan Surrenders -
Dollar Coin
1 dollar coin replaces the 1 dollar bill -
New Parliament House
New Parliament House opens in Canberra. -
AFL
Victorian Football League becomes Australian Football League -
Madeline Dowling Was Born
Madeline Louise Dowling was born at 8:56am weighing in at 7 pounds 11 ounces to the proud parents of Mr and Mrs William Fiona (Daniel) Dowling. -
27th Summer Olympic Games Begin
The 27th Summer Olympic Games were hosted in Sydney -
27th Summer Olympic Games End
The 27th Summer Olympic Games were hosted in Sydney -
Australia Apologises
Kevin Rudd leads Australia in ‘saying sorry’ to the Stolen Generation
