Australia Day

Australia Day

　Australia Day is celebrated on January 26 every year. It honors the establishment of the first European settlement¹ on the continent of Australia.

　On January 26, 1788, Englishman Arthur Phillip sailed into what is now Sydney Cove.

In the early 1800s, the date was called Foundation Day. It was celebrated by politicians and businessmen with private dinners. It then began to be called Anniversary Day. In 1836, the first Anniversary Regatta² was run in Sydney Harbor.

　In 1838, official public celebrations were held for the first time, and the day became an official holiday. In 1988, January 26 became a national public holiday.

Notes:

1. settlement n. 殖民 2. regatta n. 划船比赛