Canberra Day 1978, 1979 and onwards

Canberra Day : Second Monday in March

Canberra Day is a public holiday in the Australian Capital Territory on the second Monday in March: Monday 9 March 2026, Monday 8 March 2027 and Monday 13 March 2028. On this day the official naming of Canberra on 12 March 1913 is celebrated.

In the late 19th century, 6 independently governed colonies decided to create a federation in order to address issues that mattered to the entire nation. This federation process led to the Constitution of Australia, which came into force in 1901. The new federation required a capital. At that time there were two big cities in Australia: Melbourne and Sydney. Both cities campaigned to become the new capital, but the rivalry between them was so strong that 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 on the second Monday in March. It falls on the same day as Adelaide Cup Day in South Australia, Eight Hours Day in Tasmania and Labour Day in Victoria.