Australia Day - January 26

Australia Day (previously known as Anniversary Day, Foundation Day, and ANA Day) is the Official National Day of Australia celebrated annually on January 26, the date commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788 and the proclamation at that time of British Sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of New Holland.
Presently,it is an official Public Holiday in every State and Territory of Australia and is marked by the presentation of the '' Australian of the Year ''  Awards on Australia Day Eve, announcement of the Honours List for the Order of Australia and addresses from the Governor - General(Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia currently is Queen Elizabeth II)  and Prime Minister of Australia.
The date is controversial to some Australians, particularly those of indigenous heritage, leading to the use of alternate names, such as Invasion Day and Survival Day.

On January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip guides a fleet of 11 British ships carrying convicts to the colony of New South Wales.Australia, once known as New South Wales, was originally planned as a penal colony. Accompanied by a small contingent of Marines and other officers, Phillip led his 1,000-strong party, of whom more than 700 were convicts, around Africa to the eastern side of Australia.