The American Continental Congress announces that the American colonies are free and independent from Great Britain.
The First Fleet arrives in New South Wales, beginning British settlement in Australia.
The Sydney Herald is first published
Publication of the Working Men’s Publication in Britain demanding political reform, including the right to vote for every man from the age of 21.
Paul de Strzelecki discovers gold near Hartley , New South Wales, triggering several gold rushes around Australia.
Burke and Wills expedition across Australia
Australia ceases with the last shipment of convicts disembarking in Western Australia.
Premier State, The Sunshine State, The Festival State, The Apple Isle, The Garden State and the Wildflower State – the six colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia form one nation.
Brothers Orville and Wilbur Wright achieve the first controlled, powered, man-carrying flight.
Henry Ford, produces his first Gasoline motored automobile
The world’s then largest passenger steamship, the Titanic, hits an iceberg in the north-west Atlantic Ocean and sinks; Thousands of people die.
