Proclamation Day
From Free net encyclopedia
Proclamation Day is the South Australian public holiday that celebrates the proclamation of South Australia as a British province. The proclamation took place at The Old Gum Tree at Glenelg on December 28, 1836 by Captain John Hindmarsh. The proclamation included the same protection under the law for the local native population as for the settlers. It is celebrated on the day after Christmas, the same day that other Australian States celebrate Boxing Day.
Proclamation Day also refers to October 21 1890, the day that responsible government was proclaimed in Western Australia. It used to be a public holiday in Western Australia, but gradually the celebrations were pre-empted by those who wished to celebrate the achievement of the Eight Hour Day. In 1919 it was renamed Labour Day, and shortly afterwards the celebration date changed, with the result that Proclamation Day is no longer a public holiday in Western Australia.