History of Australia

European Exploration: Dutch

Jun 22, 1606

First Europeans to sail to Australia were the Dutch (Netherlands).
The Dutch only made one landing and then was attacked, then abandoned further exploration.

Eurpoean Exploration; British

May 15, 1770

Captain James Cook sailed around Australia and named the area New South wales. He had ingnorged the Aborignes and claimed the land for England.

Eurpoean Exploration; British

Jun 17, 1787

British ships called the “First Fleet” left England with convicts to establish a prison colony

European Exploratin; British

Jun 21, 1788

British prisoners settled in Australia.

New South Wales

Oct 25, 1788

New South Wales was officially a penal (prison) colony consisting mainly of convicts, marines (guards), and the marines’ families. only 20% of the first convicts were women.

Aborgines

Apr 16, 1830

remnants of the tribes in the settled areas were moved onto Reserves

Port Arthur, Tasmania

Dec 14, 1833

It was the destination for the hardest of convicted British and Irish criminals, those who were secondary offenders having re-offended after their arrival in Australia.

Cmomon Wealth of Australia

Feb 28, 1861

government officials created boundaries for the colonies that are still in place today.

New South Wales

Oct 26, 1868

British transported prisoners to Australia.Free imigrants were settling there and started building business, farms, trading post, etc.

Aborgines

Jul 18, 1900

separation was an official government policy which lasted for many decades

Common Wealth of Austrailia

Jan 1, 1901

The Commonwealth of Australia was established.

Common Wealth of Austrailia

Jan 8, 1927

Melbourne served as the national capital until Canberra was completed.

Aborgines

Jun 18, 1967

federal government began to pass legislation to help the Aborigines

Austalia Today

Sep 7, 1986

Australia Act -- all legal ties with the British Empire were severed.

Austalia Today

Dec 12, 1999

55% of voters rejected the idea of becoming an independent republic.