Australia is gearing up to observe the country’s national day. Australia Day 2020 will be marked on January 26 celebrating the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales.
Australia Day is also known as the foundation day and this observance has mixed reactions from many. The celebration is said to be a day of national pride for the people of Australia just like their diverse society, enriching Australian history, and the landscape of the nation.
Here’s everything to know about Australia Day:
Significance of Australia Day
Australia Day celebration holds a lot of significance for those from the country and brings out the patriotic emotions for all Australians. With the current battles that the country is going through, this celebration adds more significance than ever before.
However, the celebration of Australia Day today revolves around honoring the rich heritage, history and the journey of the country. Australia Day is a celebration of the people and the diverse cultures that make the country. The celebrations revolve around families coming together celebrating their country and all that it stands for. It is also the day that people seeking citizenship in the country are finally awarded it.
History of Australia Day
There is a lot of history behind the day and the observance of the day is dividing. Australia Day marks the day when the first fleet of the British Ships arrived at Sydney Cove and raised the Union Jack which marked the beginning of the Colony. In the early 1800s, this day was also referred to as the First landing day or Foundation Day. It was marked by celebratory drinking and dinners to mark the anniversary.
Because of the history of the day, the people have also observed this as the invasion day or the day of sorrow and mourning. The Aboriginal people who had been living there before the British invasion often looked upon this day as the Invasion Day.
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Celebration of Australia Day
The celebration of the day includes everything from grand events and commemorations across the country, with its flag flying high, streets and famous monuments decorated in the color of the country and events paying tribute to the history of Australia.
Friends and family get together to bring in this day together. In addition to this, the government also plans the citizenship ceremony, the affirmation ceremony and other awards on this day.
The citizenship ceremony is for the people who choose this day to become the citizens of the land down under, whereas the affirmation ceremony is the ceremony whereby the new citizens (open to everybody) pledge their loyalty to the nation.
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