Australia

The Land Down Under

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Brunei

Abode of Peace

Mauritius

Island Rythms

The Prime Ministers of Italy

The President of the Council of Ministers

Botswana

The Heart of Southern Africa

Life cover image

1949

Indigenous Australians' Voting Rights in Federal Elections

22 Oct 1949

Commencement of Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme Construction

17 Oct 1949

Commencement of Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme Construction

Nationality and Citizenship Act establishes Australian citizenship for eligible individuals.

26 Jan 1949

1948

Australia Signs Universal Declaration of Human Rights

10 Dec 1948

Australia Signs Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Holden Begins Producing its First Locally Designed Car

Nov 1948

Holden Begins Producing its First Locally Designed Car

Dr. H. V. Evatt Elected UN General Assembly President

25 Sep 1948

Dr. H. V. Evatt Elected UN General Assembly President

1946

Norman Makin Elected President of UN Security Council

17 Jan 1946

Norman Makin Elected President of UN Security Council

1945

Inaugural Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

26 Dec 1945

Australia Joins United Nations as a Founding Member

24 Oct 1945

Japan's Surrender in World War II

14 Aug 1945

Japan's Surrender in World War II

Succession Following the Death of Prime Minister Curtin

05 Jul 1945

Succession Following the Death of Prime Minister Curtin

Minister Calwell Launches Post-War Immigration Plan

1945

Minister Calwell Launches Post-War Immigration Plan

Operation Oboe of the Borneo Campaign

01 May 1945

Operation Oboe of the Borneo Campaign

1944

Establishment of Liberal Party with Menzies as Leader

13 Oct 1944

Establishment of Liberal Party with Menzies as Leader

Mass Japanese POW escape in Cowra, NSW.

05 Aug 1944

Australian forces vs. Japanese garrisons in the Pacific War

1944

Australian forces vs. Japanese garrisons in the Pacific War

Introduction of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for subsidized medicine in Australia.

1944

Sandakan Death March: Only 6 Survivors

1944

Sandakan Death March: Only 6 Survivors

1943

WWII: Australian troops in combat with Japanese forces in New Guinea and beyond.

1943

WWII: Australian troops in combat with Japanese forces in New Guinea and beyond.

Tragic loss of Australian POWs on Burma-Thailand Railway.

1943

Australia wins its first Oscar, with cinematographer Damien Parer honored for "Kokoda Front Line!" documentary.

04 Mar 1943

Australia wins its first Oscar, with cinematographer Damien Parer honored for "Kokoda Front Line!" documentary.

1942

Adoption of UK Statute of Westminster by Australia allows independent law-making decisions.

09 Oct 1942

Battle of Milne Bay: First defeat of Japanese Army.

25 Aug 1942

Battle of Milne Bay: First defeat of Japanese Army.

Fall of Singapore Leads to 15,000 Australians as Japanese POWs

02 Aug 1942

Fall of Singapore Leads to 15,000 Australians as Japanese POWs

Battle of Kokoda: Australian Soldiers Stop Japanese Advance.

21 Jul 1942

Battle of Kokoda: Australian Soldiers Stop Japanese Advance.

9th Division's pivotal role in turning North Africa Campaign at El Alamein.

Jul 1942

National Daylight Saving Introduced as Wartime Measure

1942

Battle of the Coral Sea: US and Australian Navies stop Japanese advance on Port Moresby.

04 May 1942

Battle of the Coral Sea: US and Australian Navies stop Japanese advance on Port Moresby.

Sparrow Force's Guerilla Campaign in Battle of Timor

19 Feb 1942

Sparrow Force's Guerilla Campaign in Battle of Timor

Australian Forces Return for Battle in Homeland

19 Feb 1942

Australian Forces Return for Battle in Homeland