Hari Australia (bahasa Inggris: Australia Day) ialah hari kebangsaan resmi di Australia. Hari Australia memperingari tibanya Armada Pertama di Sydney pada tahun 1788. Hari Australia diperingati pada tanggal 26 Januari dan dapat dibandingkan dengan Hari Kanada di Kanada. Suku-suku Aborigin menentang perayaan Hari Australia, dan menyebutnya sebagai Hari Penjajahan (bahasa Inggris: Invasion Day), karena memandangnya sebagai peringatan penghancuran budaya setempat. Di Australia, Hari Australia merupakan hari libur.Sejarah - Pada tanggal 26 Januari 1788, Kapten Arthur Phillip mengklaim secara resmi koloni New South Wales di bawah Britania Raya. Sejak tahun 1808, hari itu telah diperingati sebagai hari raya. Pada tahun 1818 (hari peingatan 30 tahun pendaratan), para pegawai negeri menerima libur pertama dari perayaan tersebut. Dengan cepat tradisi tersebut diikuti oleh bank dan lembaga umum lainnya.
Pada tahun 1888, semua ibukota negara bagian di Australia (selain Adelaide) memperingati Hari Australia. Sejak tahun 1935, Hari Australia diperingati di seluruh negara bagian. pemerintah Persemakmuran dan negara memutuskan pada tahun 1946 untuk menyeragamkan dan kemudian hari tersebut diperingati sebagai Hari Australia di seluruh negeri pada hari Senin yang paling dekat dengan 26 Januari. Pada tahun 1994, hari tersebut menjadi hari raya umum resmi di seluruh negeri.
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 raising of the Flag of Great Britain at that site by Governor Arthur Phillip. In contemporary Australia, celebrations reflect the diverse society and landscape of the nation, and are marked by community and family events, reflections on Australian history, official community awards, and citizenship ceremonies welcoming new immigrants into the Australian community.
The meaning and significance of Australia Day has evolved over time. Unofficially, or historically, the date has also been variously named "Anniversary Day", "Invasion Day", "Foundation Day", and "ANA Day".[3] 26 January 1788 marked the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia (then known as New Holland).[4] Although it was not known as Australia Day until over a century later, records of celebrations on 26 January date back to 1808, with the first official celebration of the formation of New South Wales held in 1818.
On New Years Day 1901, the British colonies of Australia formed a Federation, marking the birth of modern Australia. A national day of unity and celebration was looked for. It was not until 1935 that all Australian states and territories had adopted use of the term "Australia Day" to mark the date, and not until 1994 that the date was consistently marked by a public holiday on that day by all states and territories.
In contemporary Australia, the holiday is marked by the presentation of the Australian of the Year Awards on Australia Day Eve, announcement of the Australia Day Honours list and addresses from the Governor-General and Prime Minister. It is an official public holiday in every state and territory of Australia, unless it falls on a weekend in which case the following Monday becomes a public holiday instead. With community festivals, concerts and citizenship ceremonies, the day is celebrated in large and small communities and cities around the nation. Australia Day has become the biggest annual civic event in Australia.
