Australia Day

The date was first marked in colonial New South Wales during the nineteenth century and gradually developed into a broader expression of Australian identity. It was known by several names, including Anniversary Day and Foundation Day, before the name Australia Day became widely adopted nationally in the twentieth century. Australia Day was proclaimed a national public holiday in 1988, during the bicentenary of British settlement. For many Australians, it represents civic participation, citizenship, and a shared national story; for others, it commemorates the beginning of dispossession, violence, introduced disease, and the disruption of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and supporters may mark 26 January as Invasion Day, Survival Day, or a day of mourning, with dawn services, cultural performances, speeches, marches, and gatherings emphasizing resilience and continuing connection to Country. These observances are an important part of the contemporary national conversation, and some people choose not to celebrate Australia Day or support changing the date. In formal settings, suitable greetings include “Happy Australia Day” when a celebratory context is appropriate, or more inclusive expressions such as “Wishing you a meaningful Australia Day” and “I acknowledge the significance of this day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”