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First European on the new continent
The first European to set foot on the new continent is Willem Janszoon. -
UK Lieutenant James Cook arrives
In 1770, United Kingdom Lieutenant James Cook arrived and the eastern two-thirds of the country were claimed by them. -
Period: to
They continue to claim territory
From 1770 to 1829 the English continued to take territories to establish penal colonies (i.e. colonies used to hold prisoners who were generally forced into forced labor). -
The Commonwealth of Australia is born
On New Year's Day 1901, Sydney was proclaimed the Commonwealth of Australia, as a Dominion of the British Empire, i.e. a series of territories of the British Empire enjoying semi-freedom. -
White Australia
The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901 limited non-white people from migrating to Australia and encouraged the deportation of people already in the country. -
Towards the elimination of White Australia laws
Under the Holt government's new laws, migrants were to be selected for their skills and ability to contribute to Australian society, and after five years could become Australian citizens. -
The state begins to pass laws to help Aboriginal people
This gesture was an affirmation of the desire of the Australian people to see the government act directly to help them. All following a strike that changed history, with rights and wages equal to those on traditional lands -
The period of White Australia officially ends
Whitlam's Labor government definitively renounces the white Australia policy, to put in its place a policy of multiculturalism with migrants arriving from over 200 countries. -
Ties with the United Kingdom end
Only in 1986 were ties with the United Kingdom officially severed -
Referendum to change the form of state
In 1999 the Australian population was called to vote to change the state to a republic, with a president in place of the Queen. But the population still showed itself to be in favor of the monarchy.