History & Culture
On this day: Australia’s capital city named
Canberra was officially named on 12 March 1913, but few realise how close the city came to being called ‘Myola’.
Category: On This Day
On This Day
On this day: One of Australia’s worst maritime disasters
The loss of the SS Yongala – now a Great Barrier Reef dive site – was a puzzling mystery for almost 50 years.
History & Culture
On this day: Indigenous people get citizenship
It was on this day, only in 1967, that indigenous people were formally recognised as Australian citizens.
History & Culture
On this day: birth of an aviation pioneer
John Duigan, the first to design, build and fly an Australian- made plane, was born on May 31, 1882.
On This Day
On this day: Great Barrier Reef protected
For 36 years, the Great Barrier Reef has been protected under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975.
History & Culture
On this day: The birth of the Australian nation
Our nation was legally born on 9 July 1900 – but it’s not a date many Australians would recognise.
History & Culture
On this day: Australia’s first female politician born
Edith Cowan, Australia’s first female candidate to be voted into parliament, was born 150 years ago today.
On This Day
On this day: Australia’s biggest prison breakout
On 5 August 1944, more than 500 Japanese prisoners of war launched a violent breakout in Cowra, NSW.
On This Day
On this day: Captain James Cook sets sail
Almost 250 years ago, Captain James Cook sailed on the voyage where he discovered Australia.
History & Culture
On this day: Sydney’s General Post Office opens
The GPO’s opening on 1 September 1874 signalled the growth of communication and wealth in NSW.