What’s Australia Day?

It’s Australia’s National day commemorating 26 January 1788, when Captain Arthur Phillip raised the flag of Great Britain and proclaimed a colonial outpost of the British Empire in Port Jackson (now known as Sydney Cove). Australia’s national day has its roots in the country’s colonial past. It marks the day when the First Fleet of 11 British ships sailed into Port Jackson with Governor Arthur Phillip raising the British flag in Sydney Cove on 26 January, 1788. Many Indigenous Australians regard it as ‘Invasion’ or ‘Survival’ Day. How has the meaning of Australia Day changed over time? ‘Australia Day’ was first celebrated at a small gathering in Sydney in the early 19th century. Please listen to the full report in Pashto language.