On 26 January 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip led a fleet of 11 British ships carrying prisoners to the colony of New South Wales, effectively forming Australia. After overcoming a period of hardship, the fledgling colony began to celebrate the anniversary of the day with great fanfare, which eventually became Australia Day. Australia National Day has become increasingly controversial in recent years, as it marks the beginning of the gradual dispossession of the continent's indigenous peoples as white colonization spread across the continent.
Australia, once known as New South Wales, was originally planned as a penal colony. In October 1786, the British government appointed Arthur Phillip as captain of the HMS Sirius and entrusted him with setting up an agricultural work camp there for British prisoners. Not knowing what he could get out of this mysterious and distant land, Philip had great difficulty assembling his fleet and embarking on his journey. His requests for more experienced peasants to assist in the penal colony were repeatedly denied, and he was underfunded and equipped. Still, Phillip, accompanied by a small squad of Marines and other officers, led his 1000-man convoy (more than 700 of whom were criminals) around Africa and into eastern Australia. The voyage lasted a total of eight months and left about 30 people dead.
The first years of settlement were almost catastrophic. Because of the barren land, the unfamiliar climate, and the fact that the workers knew nothing about farming, it was difficult for Philip to keep these people alive. The colony had been on the verge of utter starvation for years, and the Marines sent to maintain order were not up to the task. Philip proved to be a tough but impartial leader who insisted on appointing criminals to positions of responsibility and oversight. Flogging and hanging are commonplace, but so is egalitarianism. As Philip said before he left England: "In a new country there will be no slavery, and therefore no slaves." ”
Although Philip returned to England in 1792, the colony did not begin to flourish until the turn of the 19th century. Feeling a new sense of patriotism, these people began to rally around January 26, the day of their founding. Historian Manning Clarke notes that in 1808, the "anniversary of the colony" was celebrated with "drinking and merry."
In 1818, 26 January became an official holiday to commemorate the 30th anniversary of British settlement in Australia. As Australia became a sovereign nation, it became a national holiday known as Australia Day. Many Australian Aboriginal people call it "Invasion Day".