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Invasion and wars
Captain James Cook claims possession of the whole east coast of Australia for the British Crown. Many history classes and books start teaching Australian history from this point on. -
Invasion starts
Captain Phillip raises the Union Jack at Sydney Cove to start a penal colony. Aboriginal resistance flares within a few days of arrival of the tall ships. -
Disease
A catastrophic smallpox epidemic decimates the Eora Aboriginal people of Port Jackson, Botany Bay and Broken Bay. -
Pemulwuy
Pemulwuy spears Phillip’s gamekeeper, John McEntire, and Phillip orders the first punitive expedition. -
Orphan
Orphan boy Bon-Del is the first Aboriginal person to go to sea, sailing aboard the brig Supply, bound for Norfolk Island. -
Bennelong and Yemmerrawanie
Bennelong and a boy named Yemmerrawanie are taken to England by Phillip. They perform the first Aboriginal song to be heard in Europe. Bennelong meets George III. Yemmarrawanie dies in England. In 1795 Bennelong returns to Australia.