Technically, New South Wales was not created as an official colony with power granted to governor Arthur Phillip until February 8, 1778. As a frame of reference, the United States Constitution was ratified four months later on June 21, 1778. (The Bill of Rights was ratified on September 25, 1789 officially establishing the government of the United States.
Australia was a valuable possession for England since they could no longer send their convicts to the American colonies.
The Transportation Act of 1717 resulted in some 52,000 convicts being sent to America until 1775. Government paid £5 to ship each convict, far cheaper than taking care of them, and the merchant captain could sell them on for £10 as indentured servants in colonies in need of manual labor.
About 164,000 convicts were sent to Australia between 1778 and 1868 on 806 ships. 24% were Irish, the remainder English and Welsh. (Scottish convicts were not transported). It is estimated 20% of Australians are descendants of transported convicts.
Celebrating a colonisation is somewhat controversial. Protesters refer to today as ‘Invasion Day’ or ‘Survival Day’ and celebrations of indigenous culture are becoming common on this day.
