History of Australia

Evidence of first peoples

65,000 BCE

Archaeological evidence of first peoples on the Australian continent. https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/defining-moments-timeline#showMoment

Smallpox epidemic

Apr 1, 1789

Smallpox breaks out in Sydney https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/smallpox-epidemic

Start of whaling

Oct 1, 1791

Establishment of the whaling industry in Sydney. https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/start-of-whaling

Holey dollar

Feb 25, 1814

Introduction of Australia’s first coin, the holey dollar https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/holey-dollar

Founding of Perth

Aug 12, 1829

Founding of Perth https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/founding-of-perth

Eureka Stockade

Dec 3, 1854

Rebellion of goldminers at Eureka Stockade, Ballarat, Victoria. https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/defining-moments-timeline#showMoment

Melbourne Cup

Nov 7, 1861

The first Melbourne Cup. https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/defining-moments-timeline#showMoment

Women's suffrage

1894

Women's suffrage, South Australia. The South Australian Parliament passed the Constitutional Amendment (Adult Suffrage) Act. https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/defining-moments-timeline#showMoment

Federation

Jan 1, 1901

Inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia, when Australia became an independent nation. https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/defining-moments-timeline#showMoment

Gallipoli landing

Apr 25, 1915

Australian troops land at Gallipoli. https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/defining-moments-timeline#showMoment