Sadly our history has some very dark parts

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

The question says, 'If we were to change the date...'

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As with any survey if you bias it correctly you will get the desired result [bigwhistle]

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Originally Posted by CraigE

It is amazing how little historical research is done by the media and reporters. The ships did not arrive on Jan 26th as reported, it is the day Phillip proclaimed to settlement of NSW at Port Jackson.
The ships actually arrived between Jan 18-20 and anchored off Botany Bay. Phillip went ashore, deemed it not satisfactory and then set out and found Port Jackson. The ships moved, could not land on the 25th. So on the 26th Commodore Phillip went ashore with a a landing party and made the said proclamation. Between the 27th-29th Jan the convicts, women and children then came ashore. Feb 7th Commodore Phillip was formally appointed Governor and the legal / court system started.

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so public holiday from jan 18th til feb 7th
excellent idea.

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Originally Posted by Eevo

so public holiday from jan 18th til feb 7th
excellent idea.

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Good Lord Evo, Get it right.
Everyone knows that they came ashore in landing craft armed to the hilt with artillery cover supplied by the first fleet and that they massacred the aboriginal defenders on the beach head on this day of "Invasion" [bigwhistle]

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Originally Posted by Eevo

so public holiday from jan 18th til feb 7th
excellent idea.

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Sounds good to me, but you will have to change your signature line to "Commodore Phillips ship bring all the lads to NSW"

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Originally Posted by CraigE

Sounds good to me, but you will have to change your signature line to "Commodore Phillips ship bring all the lads to NSW"

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hold my beer

On 22 August 1770 up on Possession Island just west of Cape York, Captain Cook claimed the eastern coast of New Holland for Britain and took possession, renaming it New South Wales.

The 26th of January 1788 was really just a flag raising ceremony - more proclaiming the colony rather than claiming the land so if the date has to be moved then I pick 22 August.

Garry

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Originally Posted by garrycol

On 22 August 1770 up on Possession Island just west of Cape York, Captain Cook claimed the eastern coast of New Holland for Britain and took possession, renaming it New South Wales.

The 26th of January 1788 was really just a flag raising ceremony - more proclaiming the colony rather than claiming the land so if the date has to be moved then I pick 22 August.

Garry

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Yes but the difference was until officially proclaimed and a settlement created any other country could still come and claim it as long as they set up a colony. What the French actually intended to do.

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Originally Posted by garrycol

On 22 August 1770 up on Possession Island just west of Cape York, Captain Cook claimed the eastern coast of New Holland for Britain and took possession, renaming it New South Wales.

The 26th of January 1788 was really just a flag raising ceremony - more proclaiming the colony rather than claiming the land so if the date has to be moved then I pick 22 August.

Garry

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I'd be happy to have a public holiday on my birthday August 22, but as Cook only claimed the East Coast, the WA brigade might feel a bit left out.

Maybe we could just pick a date at random and call it, 'Why are we here?' day.

Why not make it the last Monday in January and call it "National 'take a sickie' day"!

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

I'd be happy to have a public holiday on my birthday August 22, but as Cook only claimed the East Coast, the WA brigade might feel a bit left out.

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Following that logic - then the WA brigade should still feel left out as 26 Jan is all about the east coast.