Colonization of Australia: First Fleet to Federation (1788–1901)

1. First Fleet anchors at Sydney Cove

   Jan 26, 1788Labels: First Fleet, Sydney Cove

   • State Library NSW
   • State Library NSW

2. New South Wales colony formally proclaimed

   Feb 7, 1788Labels: New South, Arthur Phillip

   • Britannica
   • State Library NSW

3. New South Wales Corps reshapes local power

   Jan 1, 1790Labels: New South

   • Britannica
   • National Archives

4. Second Fleet deepens the colony’s crisis

   Jun 1, 1790Labels: Second Fleet

   • Second Fleet
   • State Library NSW

5. Rum Rebellion overthrows Governor William Bligh

   Jan 26, 1808Labels: Rum Rebellion, William Bligh

   • Britannica
   • Natl Museum Aus

6. Lachlan Macquarie begins major colonial reforms

   Jan 1, 1810Labels: Lachlan Macquarie

   • Britannica
   • Rum Rebellion

7. Van Diemen’s Land becomes a separate colony

   Dec 3, 1825Labels: Van Diemen's, Tasmania

   • Britannica
   • Van Diemen s

8. Black War violence peaks in Tasmania

   Jan 1, 1828Labels: Black War, Aboriginal Tasmanians

   • Britannica
   • Black War

9. South Australia’s government proclaimed at Glenelg

   Dec 28, 1836Labels: South Australia, Glenelg

   • SA History Hub
   • Centre Democ

10. Myall Creek massacre and rare murder convictions

    Jun 10, 1838Labels: Myall Creek, Aboriginal Australians

    • Natl Museum Aus
    • Myall Creek

11. Transportation to New South Wales ends

    Jan 1, 1840Labels: Transportation, New South

    • Britannica
    • Convict trans

12. Victoria separates from New South Wales

    Jul 1, 1851Labels: Victoria, Port Phillip

    • Natl Museum Aus
    • Port Phillip

13. Tenterfield Oration pushes federation into public debate

    Oct 24, 1889Labels: Tenterfield Oration, Henry Parkes

    • Natl Museum Aus
    • Parliament Aus

14. Australasian National Convention drafts a constitution

    Mar 2, 1891Labels: Australasian National

    • Parliament Aus
    • Federation

15. Federation referendums approve the constitution

    Jan 1, 1898Labels: Federation referendums

    • AEC
    • Parliament Aus

16. Constitution Act receives Royal Assent in London

    Jul 9, 1900Labels: Constitution Act, Queen Victoria

    • PEO
    • Fed Register

17. Commonwealth of Australia proclaimed at Federation

    Jan 1, 1901Labels: Commonwealth of

    • DCCEEW
    • Parliament Aus