Mark Metcalfe

Australia Day, formerly known as Foundation Day, is the official national day of Australia and is celebrated annually on January 26.

It's 'Straya Day.

The national celebration is synonymous with barbecues, beer, and fireworks.

It commemorates the "first fleet's" arrival in the 18th century, when Captain Arthur Phillip and 11 ships arrived in Sydney Cove and raised the British flag, the Union Jack.

The ships were, of course, carrying convicts and the national commemoration harkens back to a time of colonial expansion.

READ MORE:
* Australia Day from the other side of the ditch
* Australia Day jokes

Convicts were being sent to colonies in North America and around the world because British jails were struggling but when revolution reared its head in the American colonies, that destination was no longer a good option.

Australia was the next choice.

Check out our quizzes, based on the official test questions for Australian citizenship and a few questions we've dreamed up ourselves.

On ya, cobbers.

 - Stuff