Australia Day is Australia’s national day, a national public holiday in Australia, and marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet in Sydney and raising of the Union Jack flag in Warrane (Sydney Cove). It is a day of controversy, and this date is also known variously as Invasion Day, Survival Day and Day of Mourning in recognition of the devastation to the pre-existing populations and their cultures as a result of colonisation. 26 January has been marked as a Day of Mourning since 1938 and as Australia’s national day in every state and territory since 1994.

The Australian of the Year Awards are presented on this day.