On This Day
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French La Pérouse expedition arrives in Botany Bay, Australia, meeting the newly arrived "First Fleet" penal colony

The history of Australia from 1788 to 1850 covers the early British colonial period of Australia's history.

The history of Australia from 1788 to 1850 covers the early British colonial period of Australia's history. This started with the arrival in 1788 of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson on the lands of the Eora, and the establishment of the penal colony of New South Wales as part of the British Empire. It further covers the European scientific exploration of the continent and the establishment of the other Australian colonies that make up the modern states of Australia.

After several years of privation, the penal colony gradually expanded and developed an economy based on farming, fishing, whaling, trade with incoming ships, and construction using convict labour.

Historical Significance

The history of Australia from 1788 to 1850 covers the early British colonial period of Australia's history.

Events Before

  1. Naval officer Horatio Nelson (28) weds Frances Nisbet at Montpelier Estate on the island of Nevis

    Naval officer Horatio Nelson (28) weds Frances Nisbet at Montpelier Estate on the island of Nevis

  2. The First Fleet, headed by Arthur Phillip, sets sail with 11 ships of convicts for Botany Bay, Australia [1]

    The First Fleet is the name given to the group of eleven ships carrying convicts, the first to do so, that left England in May 1787 and arrived in Australia in January 1788.

  3. Delegates gather in Philadelphia to draw up the Constitution of the United States

    The United States Constitution has served as the supreme law of the United States since taking effect in 1789.

  4. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completes his chamber piece "Eine kleine Nachtmusik" (A Little Serenade)

    Eine kleine Nachtmusik (Serenade No. 13 for strings in G major), K. 525, is a 1787 composition for a chamber ensemble by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791).

  5. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completes his violin and piano sonata in A, K526

    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart completes his violin and piano sonata in A, K526

Events After

  1. The first American novel, William Hill Brown's "The Power of Sympathy," is published by Isaiah Thomas

    William Hill Brown (November 12, 1765 – September 2, 1793) was an American novelist, the author of what is usually considered the first American novel, The Power of Sympathy (1789), and "Harriot, or…

  2. First US Electoral College chooses George Washington as President and John Adams as Vice President

    John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was a Founding Father and the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801.

  3. First US Congress begins regular sessions during George Washington's presidency at Federal Hall, NYC (ends 1791)

    First US Congress begins regular sessions during George Washington's presidency at Federal Hall, NYC (ends 1791)

  4. Fletcher Christian leads a mutiny on HMS Bounty against its captain William Bligh in the South Pacific

    Fletcher Christian leads a mutiny on HMS Bounty against its captain William Bligh in the South Pacific

  5. George Washington is inaugurated as the first President of the United States of America at Federal Hall in NYC

    Federal Hall was the first capitol building of the United States established under the Constitution.

More from the 1780s

John Walter publishes the first issue of his newspaper "The Daily Universal Register," which is renamed "The Times" of L

John Walter publishes the first issue of his newspaper "The Daily Universal Register," which is renamed "The Times" of London in 1788

Emperor Joseph II's order for the Jews of Galicia, Austria, to adopt family names comes into effect

Emperor Joseph II's order for the Jews of Galicia, Austria, to adopt family names comes into effect

Future US Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall (27) weds Mary Willis Ambler (16) at his cousin's home in Han

Future US Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Marshall (27) weds Mary Willis Ambler (16) at his cousin's home in Hanover County, Virginia, until her death in 1831

British naval expedition led by Benedict Arnold burns Richmond, Virginia

The military career of Benedict Arnold in 1781 consisted of service in the British Army.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 24, 1788?
The history of Australia from 1788 to 1850 covers the early British colonial period of Australia's history. This started with the arrival in 1788 of the First Fleet of British ships at Port Jackson on the lands of the Eora, and the establishment of the penal colony of New South Wales as part of the British Empire. It further covers the European scientific exploration of the continent and the establishment of the other Australian colonies that make up the modern states of Australia.
Why is French La Pérouse expedition arrives in Botany Bay, Australia, meeting the ne... significant?
The history of Australia from 1788 to 1850 covers the early British colonial period of Australia's history.

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January 24 in HistoryYear 1788