Australians mark anniversary of British settlement

January 26, 1997
Web posted at: 1:00 p.m. EST (1800 GMT)

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) -- Australians marked the 209th anniversary of the British settlement of the country on Sunday with picnics, barbecues, concerts and fireworks.

Celebrations were held across the country from Sydney to Perth, and some 7,500 people participated in nearly 300 citizenship ceremonies. Some festivities also remembered Australia's aboriginal culture.

British Capt. Arthur Philip landed in Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788, and founded Australia's first British settlement.

 

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