History of Australia
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 This article is part of the series History of Australia |
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The History of Australia has been divided into two periods: before and after it became a dominion of the British Empire in 1901.
History of Australia before 1901
Main article: History of Australia before 1901
Australia has been inhabited for at least 50,000 years, since the remote ancestors of the current Australian Aboriginal people arrived from Southeast Asia. Early records of its discovery by European expeditions date back to the to the 16th century. It was claimed for Britain in 1770, and first colonised in 1788 as a penal colony. Five other colonies, some penal and some free, were founded in the early 19th century.
History of Australia since 1901
Main article: History of Australia since 1901
In 1901, Australia adopted a federal constitution and became a self-governing dominion of the British Empire. Australian troops took part in both world wars. Since World War II Australia has been transformed by a massive immigration programme. Australia remains a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state: a referendum to establish a republic was defeated in 1999.
See also
- History of Oceania
- History of present-day nations and states
- Australian states and major territories
Template:History by continent footerde:Geschichte Australiens lb:Geschicht vun Australien pl:Historia Australii ru:История Австралии simple:History of Australia