-
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.
-
English Lieutenant James Cook's expedition in HM Bark Endeavour charted the eastern coast, and claimed it for the British Crown. Australia was dubbed "terra nullius"[5] i.e., according to the European legal precepts of the era, it was "owned" by no-one.
-
Early in the morning, Lt. Arthur Phillip took a party ashore Sydney Cove, raised the British colours and British sovereignty over [[New South Wales] was formally proclaimed. This day is now celebrated as Australia Day. In a ceremony at sunset Phillip and the officers drank to the health of the king and the royal family, and success to the new colony. In the meantime, La Perouse entered Botany Bay as the remaining British ships prepared to leave.
-
The First Fleet of 11 ships, led by Governor Arthur Phillip, departed from Great Britain for Australia to begin European colonisation.
-
The Rum Rebellion of 1808 was the only successful armed takeover of government in Australian history. During the 19th century it was widely referred to as the Great Rebellion.
-
The whole of Australia was claimed as British territory. The settlement of Perth was founded. Swan River Colony was declared by Charles Fremantle for Britain.
-
The penal settlement of Port Arthur was founded in Van Diemen's Land.
-
The Victorian gold rush started when gold was found at Summerhill Creek and Ballarat.
-
Victoria separated from New South Wales in this year and Victoria became a colony.
-
The Battle of Eureka Stockade (by which the rebellion is popularly known) was fought between miners and the Colonial forces of Australia on 3 December 1854 at Eureka Lead and named for the stockade structure erected by miners during the conflict.[1] 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.
-
The transportation of convicts to Norfolk Island ceased.
-
Australia becomes a federation. Edmund Barton becomes the 1st Prime Minister of Australia; the 7th Earl of Hopetoun becomes Governor-General
-
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.
-
First World War ends with 60,000 Australian soldiers dead.
-
in September, Australia enters the Second World War following the German Invasion of Poland. The 2nd Australian Imperial Force is raised.
-
Japanese inflict Sandakan Death March on 2,000 Australian and British prisoners of war – only 6 survive. The single worst war crime perpetrated against Australians.
-
Australian forces lead Battle of Borneo
-
2002 Bali bombings, the deadliest act of terrorism in the history of Indonesia, killing 202 people (including 88 Australians)
-
Kevin Rudd leads bi-partisan Parliamentary to formally apology to the Stolen Generations.
-
Black Saturday bushfires: Massive bushfires swept across Victoria, resulting in 173 fatalities
