Why Australia Day Doodle #googledoodle Became Special for Australians this Time:

Australians throughout the country celebrate their national day on 26^th January but this year’s national day became more important to Australians and also for everyone in the world because of some unfortunate circumstances faced by Australians. It’s been a tough year for the people of Australia so far because of the devastating bushfires around the country due to which the people of Australia suffered a lot. It was not only financially but also emotionally a tough time for the Australians.

Google also recognized this hard time and this year’s Australia Day doodle #googledoodle was not like the previous Google doodles about Australia Day. this year’s Australia Day doodle #googledoodle shows a sheer picture that the people of Australia are not alone in this tough time and that the whole world stands with time. Google did a great job by naming their Australia Day doodle #googledoodle after the bushfires faced by the people of Australia. Smart suite fulfillment

Today, I stumbled upon the Australia Day Google Doodle – a vibrant celebration of Aussie traditions and Indigenous art. It got me wondering, “What is an Australian Doodle?” Delving deeper, I discovered the significance of Aboriginal art and Indigenous celebrations woven into this national public holiday. The cultural diversity and citizenship ceremonies during Australia Day events make it truly special. Curiosity piqued, I even pondered, “How much is an Australian Doodle?” A delightful exploration indeed!

How the Perception of Australia Day Doodle #googledoodle Became Different Amongst its People:

A little Overview:

If we look at the importance and significance of Australia Day doodle #googledoodle it takes us back to almost 60,000 years when the first fleet of British ships arrived at Port Jackson, New South Wales in 1788. Australia Day is observed on 26 January. The reason 26 January became the national day is because it is the anniversary of the arrival of the first fleet of British Ships at Port Jackson. While the 26 January is just another normal day in any other country it’s just not that in Australia because it’s the day of celebration and integrity in Australia.

The meaning and significance of Australia Day doodle #googledoodle has evolved and contested over time. Also, if we look at the history of Australian Day it has been celebrated on the same date by different Australian states which has also been a matter of discussion and quite controversial for years. This date has also been named differently like Anniversary Day, Invasion Day, Foundation Day, and Day of Mourning in different states of Australia.

The date of 26 January 1788 marked the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia (then known as New Holland). 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.

Australia Day: From Federation to Controversy

On New Year’s 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 adopted the 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.

Some Indigenous Australian events are now included. However, since at least 1938, the date of Australia Day has also been marked by Indigenous Australians, and those sympathetic to the cause, mourning what is seen as the invasion of the land by the British and the start of colonization, protesting its celebration as a national holiday.

These groups sometimes refer to 26 January as Invasion Day, Survival Day, or Day of Mourning to observe it as a counter-celebration and advocate that the date should be changed, or that the holiday should be abolished entirely. On Australia Day, Google celebrated with a Doodle, showcasing the beauty of this foreign country. Despite the country’s situation, the Doodle highlighted its resilience and unique features.

History:

The First fleet consisting of 11 ships was sent by the British army on 13 May 1787 from England to New Holland.  The objective of this fleet was to form a colony at Botany Bay on the coast of New South Wales which had been explored and claimed by Lieutenant James Cook in 1770. The settlement was seen as necessary because of the loss of the Thirteen Colonies in North America. The Fleet arrived between 18 and 20 January 1788, but it was immediately apparent that Botany Bay was unsuitable.

A few officers traveled to Port Jackson on 21 January to see if it would be a better location for settlement. They stayed there till 23 January. Captain Arthur Philip who was the commander of the fleet named the site of their landing as Sydney Cove. They also made contact with local aboriginal people. They returned to Botany Bay on the evening of 23 January, when Phillip gave orders to move the fleet to Sydney Cove the next morning, 24 January. That day, there was a huge gale blowing, making it impossible to leave Botany Bay, so they decided to wait till the next day, 25 January.

However, on 24 January, they spotted the ships Astrolabe and Boussole, flying the French flag, at the entrance to Botany Bay; they were having as much trouble getting into the bay as the First Fleet was having to get out. The fleet tried to leave Botany Bay on 25 January but only HMS supply made it out, carrying Arthur Phillip, Philip Gidley King, some marines, and about 40 convicts; they anchored in Sydney Cove in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, back at Botany Bay, Captain John Hunter of HMS Sirius made contact with the French ships, and he and the commander, Captain de Clonard, exchanged greetings. Clonard advised Hunter that the fleet commander was Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse. Sirius successfully cleared Botany Bay, but the other ships were in great difficulty.

Charlotte was blown dangerously close to rocks; Friendship and Prince of Wales became entangled, both ships losing booms or sails; Charlotte and the Friendship collided; and Lady Penrhyn nearly ran aground. Despite these difficulties, all the remaining ships finally managed to clear Botany Bay and sail to Sydney Cove on 26 January. The last ship anchored there at about 3 pm. It was 26 January on which the landing was made at Sydney Cove and on that occasion Captain Philip said:

On the evening of the 26th the colors were displayed on shore, and the Governor, with several of his principal officers and others, assembled around the flagstaff, drank the king’s health, and success to the settlement, with all that display of form which on such occasions is esteemed propitious, because it enlivens the spirits, and fills the imagination with pleasing presages.

— The Voyage of Governor Phillip to Botany Bay

Celebration of Australia Day Doodle #googledoodle and its Evolvement:

Over the past few years, the celebration of Australian Day has increased in a way that all the states and territories have begun to celebrate the Australia Day doodle #googledoodle on its actual date for the very first time. It was very different previously because of various reasons. Different states used to observe the Australian day by different names and even on different dates.

Research conducted in 2007 reported that 28% of Australians polled attended an organized Australia Day doodle #googledoodle event and a further 26% celebrated with family and friends. This reflected the results of an earlier research project where 66% of respondents anticipated that they would actively celebrate Australia Day doodle #googledoodle 2005.

In Australia, activities like Outdoor concerts, community barbecues, sports competitions, festivals, and fireworks are some of the many events that are a part of this glorious day’s celebration. In Sydney, the Harbour is a focus, and boat races are held, such as a ferry race and the tall ships race. In Adelaide, the key celebration is “Australia Day in the City” which is a parade, concert, and fireworks display held in Elder Park, with a new outdoor art installation in 2019 designed to acknowledge, remember, and recognize Aboriginal people who have contributed to the community.

Featuring the People’s March and the Voyages Concert, Melbourne’s events focus strongly on the celebration of multiculturalism. The Perth Skyworks is the largest single event presented each Australia Day doodle #googledoodle.

Citizenship Ceremonies:

Citizenship ceremonies are also commonly held, with Australia Day doodle #googledoodle now the largest occasion for the acquisition of Australian citizenship. On 26 January 2011, more than 300 citizenship ceremonies took place and around 13,000 people from 143 countries took Australian citizenship.

In recent years many citizenship ceremonies have included an affirmation by existing citizens. Research conducted in 2007 reported that 78.6% of respondents thought that citizenship ceremonies were an important feature of the day. Celebrating Australia Day with a festive Google Doodle brightens screens. Enhance your living room’s charm with unique chandelier ideas. Both illuminate moments, sharing a spotlight on creativity and warmth.

Australia Day Ambassador Program:

The Australia Day Ambassador Program is an official program that supports celebrations in communities across the nation by facilitating the participation of high-achieving Australians in local community celebrations. In 2011, 385 ambassadors participated in 384 local community celebrations.

Prestigious Award Ceremonies on National Day:

The Order of Australia awards are also a feature of the day. The Australia Day doodle #googledoodle Achievement Medallion is awarded to citizens by local governments based on excellence in both government and non-government organizations. The Governor-General and Prime Minister both address the nation.

On the eve of Australia Day each year, the Prime Minister announces the winner of the Australian of the Year award, presented to an Australian citizen who has shown a “significant contribution to the Australian community and nation” and is an “inspirational role model for the Australian community”. Subcategories of the award include Young Australian of the Year and Senior Australian of the Year and an award for Australia’s Local Hero.

Reflections on the History and Future of Australia on its National Day:

Research in 2009 indicated that Australians reflect on history and future fairly equally on Australia Day doodle #googledoodle. Of those polled, 43% agreed that history is the most important thing to think about on Australia Day and 41% said they look towards “our future”, while 13% thought it was important to “think about the present at this time” and 3% were unsure.

Despite the date reflecting the arrival of the First Fleet, contemporary celebrations are not particularly historical in their theme. There are no large-scale re-enactments and the national leader’s participation is focused largely on events such as the Australian of the Year Awards announcement and Citizenship Ceremonies.

Possibly reflecting a shift in Australians’ understanding of the place of Indigenous Australians in their national identity, Newspoll research in November 2009 reported that ninety percent of Australians polled believed “it was important to recognize Australia’s indigenous people and culture” as part of Australia Day celebrations. A similar proportion (89%) agreed that “it is important to recognize the cultural diversity of the nation”.

Despite the strong attendance at Australia Day doodle #googledoodle events and a positive disposition towards the recognition of Indigenous Australians, the date of the celebrations remains a source of challenge and national discussion.

Controversies Revolving Around Australia Day:

Some Australians regard Australia Day doodle #googledoodle as a symbol of the adverse impacts of British settlement on Australia’s Indigenous peoples. The celebrations in 1938 were accompanied by an Aboriginal Day of Mourning. A large gathering of Aboriginal people in Sydney in 1988 led to an “Invasion Day” commemoration marking the loss of Indigenous culture.

Some Indigenous figures and others continue to label Australia Day as “Invasion Day”, and protests occur almost every year, sometimes at Australia Day events. Thousands of people participate in protest marches in capital cities on Invasion Day/Australia Day; estimates for the 2018 protest in Melbourne range into tens of thousands. Crowds estimated as high as 80,000 turned out in an “Invasion Day” protest in Melbourne alone in 2019, and rallies were held across the country.

This day is also known as Survival Day and is marked by events like the survival concert which was first held in Sydney in 1992. It reflects the idea that the indigenous people and culture have survived despite colonization and discrimination. In 2016, National Indigenous Television chose the name “Survival Day” as its preferred choice on the basis that it acknowledges the mixed nature of the day, saying that the term “recognizes the invasion”, but does not allow that to frame the entire story of the Aboriginal people.

In response, official celebrations have tried to include Indigenous people, holding ceremonies such as the Woggan-ma-glue ceremony, held in Sydney, which honors the past and celebrates the present. These controversies are related to Australia Day Melbourne and make it a different argument in everyone’s mind

Bicentennial Year Celebrations:

In 1988, the celebration of 200 years since the arrival of the First Fleet was organized on a large scale, with many significant events taking place in all major cities. Over 2.5 million people attended the event in Sydney. These included street parties, concerts, performances on the steps and forecourt of the Sydney Opera House and at many other public venues, art and literary competitions, historic re-enactments, and the opening of the Powerhouse Museum at its new location. A re-enactment of the arrival of the First Fleet took place in Sydney Harbour, with ships that had sailed from Portsmouth a year earlier taking part

Conclusion

Despite all the controversies and the profound history, Australia Day has great importance in Australia and is celebrated passionately and joyfully by every citizen of Australia. Just like any other national day of any other country Australia’s national day, which is 26 January is not casual in Australia. Australian people have always been aware of their old history and by reflecting on that, the people of Australia are making their effort to make their country a sign of prosperity and integrity.

This year’s Australia Day doodle #googledoodle is different from the previous Australia Day doodle #googledoodle because this year has been very tough for the people of Australia because of the devastating and immensely damaging bushfires in the country. Many lost their lives in these bushfires and many had to face economic damage due to these bushfires.