Mood:
happyToday is Australia Day, for those of you that didn't know.
Australia Day is the day in which the Aussies celebrate their creation as a nation. If you think of the American Independance Day, you are on the right track.
I've heard a few conflicting stories as to what is ACTUALLY being celebrated, though. Wikipedia tells me that is celebrates the founding of the first colony in Sydney. It was a penal colony established by England in response to not being able to send them to the Americas any longer (American Revolution stopped that practice). They celebrated the first Australia Day twenty years later, mostly because they were still alive.
I've also heard that this day commemerates the date in which each of the Aussie States adopted the Aussie Constitution and became a Federation. It celebrates the creation of Australia as an independant nation. Personally, I think this one is true.
Kimberly, Jacoby, and I went to the kick-off of the celebration last night, which was a free concert at the Parlament House. We heard, among other Aussie bands, the Basics, the Veronicas, and a few Country bands that were pretty good! The best performance was by the Veronicas. I'm not sure if they are played in the states ort not, but they are all over Aussie radio.
The other big performer was Lee Kernaghan, who was also named Australian of the Year, due to his efforts at providing aid to the farmers hit hardest by the seven-year drought. He is a country music singer sounding a lot like anything you would hear on WMZQ, back home. I really enjoyed his music!
Today we have been invited to a couple of BBQs. One is at our landlord's house. The Hoebee's seem to be very nice people and wanted to make sure we had something to do on this important day. Afterwards, we will go to Bryan and Hiedi's house for a get together in which several of the ACSC students were invited. This one is sort of the "social ice breaker."
Tonight is fireworks.
Have a great day!
