Canberra Day

Canberra Day History

Canberra Day is celebrated to mark the official founding of Canberra as the nation's capital. This observance provides an opportunity for residents to showcase their pride in the city, with various activities organised by the community reflecting the spirit and achievements of Canberra. The day highlights the unique features and significant role of the capital in the history, culture, and politics of Australia.

The origins of Canberra Day date back to 1913 when the city was officially named and founded by Lady Denman, the wife of then-Governor-General Lord Denman. Canberra was selected as the capital city as a compromise between two rival cities, Sydney and Melbourne. This decision ultimately aimed to provide a neutral and easily accessible location to accommodate the representatives of the different states. Today, Canberra Day symbolises the unity and collaboration between the states, paying homage to their efforts in shaping a shared national identity.

Canberra Day is typically celebrated with various events and activities organised throughout the city, showcasing the diverse cultural and artistic scene in the capital. The public holiday allows for residents to spend time with their families and engage in their community, while also enjoying the entertainment provided at local parks and gold coin donation events catered towards the whole community. Canberra Day usually falls on the second Monday of March, coinciding with the long weekend.

Top facts about Canberra Day

• Every year, the Canberra Citizen of the Year is named on Canberra Day. This citizen has been nominated for the titled due to impressive contributions to the city and its people.
• Canberra is located on the ancient lands of the Indigenous Ngunnawal people. It is thought that Canberra’s name means ‘meeting place’, derived from the Aboriginal word Kamberra.
• The first Commonwealth Parliament House opened in Canberra in 1927. The Australian Capital Territory became a self-governing territory in 1989.
• The Australian Capital Territory was declared on January 1, 1911.
• I had some vague memory of visiting Canberra as a lad, when we came up with my father by car. But when I made the long train journey from Sydney to Canberra and arrived at the little stop, I did wonder slightly whether this really was the national capital - John Henry Carver, Australian physicist.

In the News and Trending for Canberra Day

Top things to do for Canberra Day

• Attend the Canberra Festival. The festival is a series of events that take place throughout the month of March. Some events include concerts, performances, shows, car shows and much more.
• Learn more about the city of Canberra and the establishment of the Australian capital by reading books on these topics. Some of our favourites include: The Fatal Shore: The Epic of Australia's Founding, Girt: The Unauthorised History of Australia, 1835: The Founding of Melbourne and the Conquest of Australia and Canberra 1912.
• Spread awareness about Canberra Day on social media with hashtags #CanberraDay, #Canberra and #CelebrateCanberra.
• Host a Canberra celebration at your home. Place facts about Canberra into a hat and play against each other to see who is the most knowledgeable about the city. Also try playing games to see who can rename the city today and award a prize for the best name chosen.
• Enjoy the three-day weekend by getting out of the city. Many Canberrans take advantage of this holiday to get out of the city and enjoy the countryside by camping, barbecuing or simply relaxing.