Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Observed annually on 26 January, it marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove and raising of the Union Flag by Arthur Phillip following days of exploration of Port Jackson in New South Wales.
The birth of a nation.
Indigenous People say there was already an existing nation, their nation.
Many Indigenous activists today call it "Invasion Day". Not helpful in the pursuit of love and harmony.
There are two flags;
The Aboriginal flag;
Key points
*
The Aboriginal Flag is divided horizontally into equal halves of black (top) and red (bottom), with a yellow circle in the centre. The black symbolises Aboriginal people. The yellow represents the sun, the constant re-newer of life. Red depicts the earth and peoples' relationship to the land.
Australian government buys copyright to Aboriginal flag in $20m deal
Permission is no longer needed to display the Aboriginal flag or to use it on signage or clothing after the Australian government acquired the rights for $20m. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
/cont'd
The birth of a nation.
Indigenous People say there was already an existing nation, their nation.
Many Indigenous activists today call it "Invasion Day". Not helpful in the pursuit of love and harmony.
There are two flags;
The Aboriginal flag;
Key points
- The Australian Aboriginal flag was designed by artist Harold Thomas in 1970.
- The colours of the flag represent the Aboriginal people of Australia and their connection to the land.
- The flag was first raised on 9 July 1971.
- In 1995, the Aboriginal flag was recognised by the Australian Government as an official 'Flag of Australia' under the Flags Act 1953.
*
The Aboriginal Flag is divided horizontally into equal halves of black (top) and red (bottom), with a yellow circle in the centre. The black symbolises Aboriginal people. The yellow represents the sun, the constant re-newer of life. Red depicts the earth and peoples' relationship to the land.
Australian government buys copyright to Aboriginal flag in $20m deal
Permission is no longer needed to display the Aboriginal flag or to use it on signage or clothing after the Australian government acquired the rights for $20m. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
/cont'd
