Thongs and Throngs on Australia Day

Australia Day, formerly known as Foundation Day, commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet to Sydney in 1788.

The day is controversial to some Australians who believe the date marks the displacement of the Aboriginal people both geographically and culturally. They call the day, Invasion Day or Survival Day. Proposals have been made to change the date, but these have failed to gain widespread public support.

Today some Australians have called on Britain to return what they consider Australia's "birth certificate."