celebrations

= Australia Day! =

Until 1970, if you were born on the 26th of January, you were gifted with a special silver spoon. You may only get the spoon if you are born then. You can't even buy one!
 * What happens if you're born on Australia day?**

On January 26th 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip founded the colony of Australia ay Sydney Cove.
 * Why does Australia celebrate on the 26th of January?**

The Sydney Gazette began referring to 26 January as First Landing Day or Foundation Day in 1804. In Sydney, //celebratory drinking, and dinners became common.//
 * When was Australia Day first celebrated?**

Governor Macquarie named the colony Australia in 1837 and made it a //public holiday// in 1938 and celebrated the holiday with yacht races.
 * When did it become a celebration?**

Representatives from Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and New Zealand joined NSW leaders in Sydney to celebrate 100 years of white settlement. What begun as a NSW anniversary became an Australian one. The day was known as Anniversary or Foundation Day.
 * When did it become a National celebration?**

People in Victoria began a campaign to have 26 January celebrated throughout Australia as Australia Day on a Monday, making a //long weekend//. The Victorian people began the long week end celebrations in 1931. The other states all copied this by 1935.
 * When did it become a Public Holiday?**