On This Day
On this day: Canberra’s prohibition begins
In the end it was thirsty pollies that forced the end of 17 years of prohibition in Canberra.
Category: On This Day
On This Day
Centenary of the Battle of Fromelles
It’s been 100 years since the darkest day in Australian military history, which saw the most casualties in 24 hours of any Australian battle.
Events
On This Day: Aboriginal flag first flown
A potent symbol of Aboriginal Australia recognised the world-over, this flag first ruffled in the wind in Adelaide in 1971.
On This Day
A history of Sydney’s Mardi Gras
This year is the 40th anniversary of Sydney’s annual Mardi Gras and follows on from the official legalisation of marriage equality in Australia.
On This Day
On this day: Happy 200th to Sydney’s Botanic Gardens
Two hundred years ago liquor was downed to celebrate the founding of one of Sydney’s icons – now home to almost 9000 plant species.
On This Day
On this day: The Batavia is fatefully wrecked
In 1629 a group of men murdered more than half the survivors of the Batavia wreck on deserted islands off WA, but 45 fought back and won.
On This Day
On this day: $2 coins replace green notes
Did you know Australia once had its own mean, green paper note? That was until 1988, when the $2 coin rolled in.
History & Culture
On this day: Queen Victoria Building’s first block laid
It was a modest outdoor market that became one of Sydney’s grandest buildings.
On This Day
On this day: Tassie’s Jewish homeland plan
Was Tasmania a viable Jewish homeland option during WWII? A young Melbournite Critchley Parker thought so.
On This Day
On this day: The black box was born
Research scientist David Warren lost his father to an airline disaster when he was a boy, then went on to revolutionise global aviation safety.