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1770 The discovery of Australia
Captain James Cook and his crew on the sailing ship the Endeavor, discovered the east coast of Australia and landed in Botany Bay. He named the place New South Wales. -
1776 Signing of the Declaration of Independance
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in the history of the United States. It was an official act taken by all 13 American colonies in declaring independence from British rule. It was signed by 56 people from the different states of America on July 4, 1776. -
1779 Captain Cook dies
Royal Navy Captain James Cook died on February 14, 1779, after he was stabbed in a scuffle with Hawaiian islanders when he attempted to take the local leader hostage. His death occurred during his third exploratory voyage on the HMS Endeavour. -
1788 The First Fleet lands in Australia
The 11 ships which made up the First Fleet arrived on Australia's coast, at Botany Bay, on January, 1788, after 250 days at sea. -
1817 Australia was named.
The name Australia, that comes from the Latin word australis, meaning "southern", was once named New Holland but was officially changed in 1817. -
1838 Myall Creek Massacre
In NSW near the Gwydir River, about 30 unarmed aborigines were slaughtered by 11 colonists on Myall Creek Station, later 7 of these colonists were found guilty and were hung. -
1851 Gold discovery in Victoria
In March 1850, Mr. W. Campbell found, on a station near Ballarat, several minute pieces of gold in quartz. He kept it a secret until 10 January 1851 once everybody knew about it the gold rush began. -
1861 Melbourne Cup Races Started
The Melbourne Cup races began in 1861 when the Victoria Turf Club took over horse racing in Melbourne. The race was run by 17 horses and won by a horse named Archer. Since this day it has become an annual race day and holiday. -
1886 Unveiling of the Statue of Liberty
On October 28, 1886, President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, in New York Harbour. Only dignitaries were invited to the unveiling, but over 1 million people attended the parade which marked the occasion. -
1886 Coca Cola is invented
Coca Cola was invented by John Pemberton, in the 19th century. It was originally intended as a medicine. The drink's name refers to it's 2 original ingredients, coca leaves and kola nuts (caffeine). Due to marketing by a businessman, it became a popular world-wide soft drink. -
1903 The first flight
The Wright Brothers made the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered aircraft on December 14, 1903 in North Carolina. The flight was 112 feet long and lasted 4 seconds. -
1912 The Titanic Sinks
The Titanic was a British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in the early hours of 15 April 1912, after colliding with an iceberg during its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City. There were an estimated 2,224 passengers and crew aboard, and more than 1,500 died. It was one of the worst maritime disasters in modern history.
