The History of Australia
The Aboriginal People of Australia
- The Native Australians, also known as the Aborigines, have lived on the continent of Australia for over 40,000 years.
- There are 500 different Aboriginal clan groups with distinctive cultures, beliefs and languages.
- The Aborigines invented the boomerang, a device used for hunting that returns to the thrower.
- Click here to watch a video clip showing the rock art of the Aboriginal People.
- In 1770, Captain James Cook mapped Australia's East Coast and claimed it for Great Britain.
- In 1778, colonization of Australia began in what is now Sydney, Australia.
- In 1788, the British founded a prison colony and the Aborigines were driven from their land.
- In 1851, gold was discovered in Australia and this increased the population dramatically and grew the economy.
- The Aborigines continued to be driven from their land and were not given equal rights for hundreds of years.
- In 1962, the Aborigines were given the right to vote and 5 years later they were recognized as Australian citizens.
- In 1976, the Aboriginal Land Rights Act passed the right to the Aborigines to make claims on their ancestors' lands in the Northern Territory.
- In 2008, Australian Parliament formally apologized for past wrongs committed against the Aboriginal People.
Australian Customs and Traditions
Above: Aboriginal Art,
Below: Pavlova Dessert
- Although the Aborigines have lived on the continent for thousands of years, their customs and traditions still remain somewhat separate from the rest of the Australian nation. For example, the Aborigines practice bush medicine, where they use items found in nature to survive. (Click here to watch a video about the Aboriginal artists).
- The culture of Australia is heavily influenced by British and European origins.
- Australia is one of the most ethnically diverse societies in the world today, where 1 in 4 residents were born outside of Australia. Therefore, the Australian customs and traditions vary from person to person.
- Australians believe a suntan is the sign of foolishness and they were sunscreen year round. This is because Australia has the highest rate of skin caner in the World.
- The Australians enjoy eating a variety of foods including: Pavlova, a pastry (created in 1935 by an Australian chef for ballerina Anna Pavlova's visit), as well as vegemite (a black spread made from yeast extract), meat pie, lamingtons (sponge cake cube desserts), and abundant seafood and large portions of beef and lamb.
- The Australians enjoy an outdoor lifestyle including a variety of water sports (surfing, swimming, sailing and yachting) as well as horseback riding, golf, tennis and cricket. (Click here to watch a video about how to play cricket).
Australian Holidays
The Australian public holidays include:
Other Holidays celebrated by various territories within Australia:
- Australia Day (January 26th) To celebrate when the English colony was established in Australia.
- Anzac Day (April 25th) To honor those who served in the time of war. (Australian & New Zealand Army Corps)
- New Years Day (January 1st)
- Good Friday
- Easter Monday
- Christmas Day (December 25th)
- Boxing Day (December 26th) A traditional holiday where the wealthy would give gifts to the poor.
Other Holidays celebrated by various territories within Australia:
- The Queen's Birthday
- Labour Day
- Agriculture Show Days
Religious Practices of Australia
The religions most practiced in Australia are:
- Anglican (26%)
- Catholic (26%)
- Other Christian religions (24%)
- No religion (19%)
- Other (5%)