History of harmony day

HARMONY DAY TIMELINE

40,000–60,000 years ago
The First Settlers
Indigenous Australians inhabit the continent, having traveled by sea from Southeast Asia.
1788
Australia is Colonised
The first fleet of British ships arrives at Botany Bay to establish a penal colony, the first colony on the Australian mainland.
1998
A Study of Strife
The Australian government commissions a study into the nature of racism in the last decade, which establishes a greater need for living in harmony.
1999
Harmony Day is Created
The first Harmony Day is celebrated in Australia, coinciding with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

HARMONY DAY FAQS

I’m not Australian. Can I still celebrate?

Of course! Harmony Day aims to celebrate everyone, so count yourself in!

Why is diversity important?

Statistics show that diverse communities, companies, and civilizations are happier, healthier, and more prosperous. So including everyone really does make the world a better place.

Which other days are there for celebrating each other?

Global Diversity Awareness Month takes place in October every year, the perfect time to put a special emphasis on celebrating our cultures.

HOW TO CELEBRATE HARMONY DAY

1. Host a coffee morning

Bring your neighbors together over a cup of joe to celebrate each other. You may be from different walks of life, but you all call the same place home.

2. Bake a harmony cake

When we bake, we mix very different ingredients to produce a delicious and harmonious result: cake! You could even try a recipe from a different culture to let you stand in another’s shoes.

3. Get a choir together

Celebrate harmony in mind and voice by singing with a choir. Choose some uplifting, unifying songs to bring your voices together.