Major Dates in Australia History By mivey Aug 24, 1770 Captain Cook sights Great Southern Land Terra Austrlis Jan 26, 1788 The British land in Austrailia White Settlement Dec 3, 1854 Eureka Rebellion Jan 1, 1901 Australia becomes a nation Apr 25, 1915 ANZACs land at Gallipoli Dec 24, 1941 Australia is under attack Jan 24, 2000 Australia hosted the olympics In Sydney