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1770
Captain James Cook charts the east coast in his ship HM Endeavour. Cook claims it as a British possession and names eastern Australia "New South Wales". -
1836
South Australia established, with Adelaide as its capital. -
1850s
Gold is found at several locations leading to gold rushes throughout the decade. -
1911
Canberra is founded and designated as the capital. -
1929
The Great Depression following the Wall Street Crash hits Australia hard. Recovery is uneven, and the Labor government is defeated in the election in 1931. -
1965
Olympic Games held in Melbourne. -
1983
Bob Hawke becomes prime minister after his Labor Party secures a landslide victory. -
2000
Australia hosts the Olympic Games in Sydney, the most popular ever. -
2002
Australia mourns as 88 of its citizens are killed in a night club bombing in Bali, Indonesia, which some call Australia's September 11. The attacks - which killed 202 people in total - are blamed on al-Qaeda-linked Islamists. -
2004
John Howard wins fourth term as prime minister; his party extends its grip on parliament.