Look, Australia was NOT called Australia on 26th January, 1788.
It was called NEW HOLLAND. And it was claimed as part of the British Empire!!!
And there would NO independent, sovereign Australia until 1st January 1901 - another 113 years later!!!
So why can't we celebrate Australia day, on the day of our independence on 1st January 1901 (just like many countries does), like for example the US, which celebrate its independence day on 4th July.
And then Australian of British heritage, can celebrate 26th January just like Christopher Columbus day in the US?
