Australia Day & Chinese New Year

This year both my nation's national day and Chinese New Year fall on the same day.

Seeing I'm not Chinese I'll start off with Australia Day.

26th January each year marks the landing of Captain Arthur Philip and the First Fleet in Sydney Harbour in 1788. The First Fleet comprised of 11 ships, 400 seamen and 780 convicts from England. The first decision was to land in Botany Bay, however, Captain Philip didn't think that spot was suitable for the new colony and thus sailed further north to Port Jackson, or more commonly known as Sydney Harbour.

The colony was named Sydney after Lord Sydney, Britain's Home Secretary who was responsible for the new colony. This makes Sydney the first and oldest city in Australia. Part of the original buildings as built by the convicts still stand today, however, unfortunately most were torn down to make way for skyscrapers. This area of the city is known as The Rocks and is a popular tourist attraction.

To celebrate this day, tall ship races are held on the Harbour, there are concerts, many people take the Pledge of Allegiance and become citizens, fireworks are let off in the evening, people hold parties or backyard barbecues and play games of cricket and football (mostly touch versions of rugby league/union or AFL).

On tv leading up to this day an advertisement is broadcast. It features a very patriotic Sam Kekovich and his fight against un-Australianism by the purchase and consumption of lamb.

Here is this years Sam Kekovich commercial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzBG4k8aTus
So, to my fellow Aussie AnDers Happy Australia Day!!!

The 26th also marks the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Ox!!!

I'm sorry I can't write a comprehensive blog entry on that particular holiday as I don't know enough of the customs involved in the celebrations. It's not the same to go and Google search a bunch of information as it is to actually know what you are talking about.

I thought that I would add link from the City of Sydeny's Chinese New Year page. It features a video from Jackie Chan who is the Chinese New Year Festival Ambassador. Jackie spent quite a lot of his childhood here as his father was the head cook at the American Embassy in Canberra, so he has strong ties to this country.

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/cny/Messages/JackieChan.aspx

However, I wish those of you that celebrate the Chinese New Year a happy and prosperous New Year. Kung Hei Fat Choy!!! Happy Ox Year AnD!!!