what is Australia day
australia day is the official national day of australia celebrated annually on 26 january it marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the first fleet of british ships at port jackson new south wales and the raising of the flag of great britain at that site by governor arthur phillipnofficially or historically the date has also been variously named anniversary day invasion day foundation day and ana day 26 january 1788 marked the proclamation of british sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of australia then known as new holland