This Day In History

On this day in 1788, the British ‘First Fleet’ (led by Captain Arthur Phillip) sails into Port Jackson (now Sydney Harbour), Australia. Here they established Sydney, which was the first permanent European settlement in Australia. The ‘First Fleet’ carried convicts and settlers from England, and established a penal colony in Sydney. The ‘New South Wales’ region of Australia had been discovered by Captain James Cook in 1770.

On 7th February, the now Governor Phillip addressed the first settlers, and proclaimed:
“How grand is the prospect which lies before this youthful nation!”

This day is now commemorated as Australia Day