SBS50: Biggest Stories 1988

In 1988 much of Australia was in party mode. On January the 26th, 200 years after the arrival of the First Fleet, we celebrated our bicentenary in a sunny spectacle focused on where it all began — Sydney Harbour.

Australian Bicentenary celebrations outside the Sydney Opera House in Sydney Harbour, Sydney, Australia, January 1988. (Photo by Jayne Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images) Credit: Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images

The Queen and Prince Charles were present to witness the anniversary with Prime Minister Bob Hawke giving his address.

This is a day of commemoration; even more important it is a day of commitment. Commemoration of the past, commitment to the future.

Bob Hawke

Two million people gathered around the Harbour to watch the re-enactment of the First Fleet’s arrival, concerts and a fireworks display with millions more celebrating in every state and territory.

Also, on that day more than 40-thousand Indigenous and non-Indigenous people from across Australia marched to the harbour from Redfern.

The march was seen as a challenge to the concept of Australia Day and the Bicentennial – protestors were calling for land rights and were reminding Australians of the poor conditions of Aboriginal health, education and welfare.

Some Indigenous people still refer to 26 January as Invasion Day, and demonstrations occur on the day each year.

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