Canberra Day : Second Monday in March

Canberra Day is a local public holiday that is observed annually on the second Monday in March in the Australian Capital Territory. On this day the official naming of Canberra on 12 March 1913 is celebrated.

 

In the late 19th century 6 independently governed states decided to create a federation in order to address issues that mattered the entire nation. This federation process led to the constitution of Australia that bacame valid in 1901. The new federal state required a capital. At that time there were only two big cities in Australia: Melbourne and Sydney. Both cities campaigned to become the new capital but the rivalry between them was so big that eventually the government decided upon a compromise. A new capital was to be created between Sydney and Melbourne. After evaluating various options the current location was chosen. During an official ceremony on 12 March 1913 the city was officially named Canberra.

 

Canberra Day is not the only public holiday in Australia that is observed on the second Monday in March. The holiday coincides with the March Public Holiday (commonly known as Adelaide Cup Day) that is celebrated in South Australia, the Eight Hours Day observed in Tasmania and Labour Day held in Victoria.