1770
The Union Jack was first raised in Australia on 29 April 1770 by Captain Cook at Stingray Harbour (later renamed Botany Bay).
1788
Governor Phillip hoisted this flag again on 26 January 1788 at Sydney Cove, marking the first European settlement of Australia.
1788
From early settlement, the citizens of Australia’s colonies flew the flags of the United Kingdom, including (from 1801) the current Union Jack.
1850s
The Southern Cross appeared on numerous unofficial flags in Australia.
1854
Gold miners rallied around the Southern Cross design on the Eureka flag, burned down the Eureka Hotel at Ballarat and set up a stockade in protest at colonial taxes – 30 miners and 6 Government troops killed.
1865
The Admiralty in London, and Britain’s Secretary of State for the Colonies, advised Australian Governors that colonial vessels of war should fly a flag having their colonial badges on Britain’s blue ensign.
1890s
Australia’s international sport teams used the (so far unofficial) national colours of green and gold.
1901
A world-wide competition to find a new Australian flag announced by the Government when the 6 colonies united as the Commonwealth of Australia. The Commonwealth blue ensign (later to become the Australian National Flag) was developed from the winning entries. The same flag design, on a red background, was called the Commonwealth red ensign and used on Australia’s merchant ships.
1901
The design for the first Great Seal of Australia was chosen by the Government in another competition.
1908
Australia’s first National Coat of Arms granted by King Edward VII. This showed the kangaroo and the emu supporting the shield and standing on a grassy mound.
1908
A seventh point added to Commonwealth Star on the Commonwealth blue ensign.
1912
Australia’s second grant of Arms made by King George V. This changed the original National Coat of Arms to include the symbols of the states on the badge – and the Commonwealth Star is shown with 7 points. Six of the 7 points symbolise the Australian states and the seventh its territories.
1912
Then Prime Minister Andrew Fisher suggests golden wattle surround the new Commonwealth Coat of Arms.
1953
The Australian National Flag officially declared to be the Commonwealth blue ensign, ending some public confusion.
1971
The Australian Aboriginal Flag was first raised on 9 July 1971, National Aborigines’ Day, at Victoria Square in Adelaide.
1973
The current version of the Great Seal (which shows the National Coat of Arms) granted to Australia in a Royal Warrant by Queen Elizabeth II.
1975
Blue and gold chosen for the ribbon colours for the Order of Australia.
1977
Some 3 million Australians voted for “Advance Australia Fair”, which won against 3 other tunes in a referendum to find the national anthem. “Waltzing Matilda” came second with 1.9 million votes, followed by “God Save the Queen” with 1.3 million votes and “Song of Australia” with 700,000 votes.
1984
The Governor-General proclaimed green and gold as Australia’s national colours.
1984
“Advance Australia Fair” with slightly amended words officially proclaimed the Australian National Anthem.
1988
The golden wattle proclaimed as Australia’s floral emblem.
1992
National Wattle Day proclaimed.
1993
Opal proclaimed Australia’s national gemstone.
1996
Australian National Flag Day (3 September each year) proclaimed.
2021
Lyrics of the Australian National Anthem changed from ‘For we are young and free’ to ‘For we are one and free’ on 1 January 2021.
2022
Copyright of the Australian Aboriginal Flag transferred to the Commonwealth of Australia on 25 January 2022.