Proclamation Day
Encyclopedia
Proclamation Day is the name of a number of official or unofficial holiday
s or other anniversaries which commemorate or mark an important proclamation
. In some cases it may be the day of, or the anniversary of, the proclamation of a monarch's accession to the throne. A proclamation day may also celebrate the independence of a country, the end of a war, or the ratification of an important treaty.
n public holiday
that celebrates the proclamation of South Australia as a British province
. The proclamation was made by Captain John Hindmarsh
, beside The Old Gum Tree
at Glenelg
, on 28 December 1836. The proclamation included the same protection under the law for the local native population as for the settlers. It is now a public holiday
in South Australia, although this holiday is held on the first otherwise working day after the Christmas Day public holiday (usually 26 December). Formal ceremonies and celebrations are always held on 28 December.
The proclamation was printed by Robert Thomas
(1782–1860), who came from England with his family on the Africaine, which arrived at Holdfast Bay
on 8 November 1836. Thomas brought with him the first printing press to reach South Australia. The press was a Stanhope Invenit No. 200, and was on display in the State Library
until 2001. The colonising fleet consisted of 10 vessels which gathered at Nepean Bay before being directed to Holdfast Bay
. The Africaine was the first to arrive, discharging settlers on 9 November 1836, followed by the Emma, the John Pirie, and the Tam O'Shanter. These deliberately preceded Governor John Hindmarsh on the Buffalo
to enable preparations including the printing of the proclamation in advance of his formal arrival on 28 December. Thomas's wife Mary
(who died in 1875) published The Diary of Mary Thomas, in which she described the journey on the Africaine and the early years in South Australia. An extract from the diary reads:
One of the children of Robert and Mary Thomas was a surveyor who assisted Colonel William Light
in the survey which led to the founding of the City of Adelaide
. Another son, William Kyffin Thomas, inherited from his father the newspaper of the time, The Register, which his parents had set up. William had a son, also called Robert, who became senior proprietor of The Register. He was knighted by King Edward VII in 1909 when President of the first great Press Conference in London.
This is celebrated at the Old Gum Tree on December 28 each year.
.
was proclaimed in Western Australia
. It used to be a public holiday in Western Australia, but gradually the celebrations were pre-empted by those who wished to celebrate the achievement of the eight-hour day
. In 1919 it was renamed Labour Day
, and shortly afterwards the celebration date changed, with the result that Proclamation Day is no longer a public holiday in Western Australia.
, and presumably the other Commonwealth realm
s, is the day on which a new King or Queen
is proclaimed following the Demise of the Crown
.
In the UK, this is marked by the raising of the Union Flag
from half-mast to its normal position, an exception in the normal process of mourning
. However, the Royal Standard is never flown at half-mast. When the monarch dies, the flag is lowered and immediately raised again, in accordance with the custom The King is dead. Long live the King
.
Holiday
A Holiday is a day designated as having special significance for which individuals, a government, or a religious group have deemed that observance is warranted. It is generally an official or unofficial observance of religious, national, or cultural significance, often accompanied by celebrations...
s or other anniversaries which commemorate or mark an important proclamation
Proclamation
A proclamation is an official declaration.-England and Wales:In English law, a proclamation is a formal announcement , made under the great seal, of some matter which the King in Council or Queen in Council desires to make known to his or her subjects: e.g., the declaration of war, or state of...
. In some cases it may be the day of, or the anniversary of, the proclamation of a monarch's accession to the throne. A proclamation day may also celebrate the independence of a country, the end of a war, or the ratification of an important treaty.
South Australia
Proclamation Day is the South AustraliaSouth Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
n public holiday
Public holiday
A public holiday, national holiday or legal holiday is a holiday generally established by law and is usually a non-working day during the year....
that celebrates the proclamation of South Australia as a British province
Province
A province is a territorial unit, almost always an administrative division, within a country or state.-Etymology:The English word "province" is attested since about 1330 and derives from the 13th-century Old French "province," which itself comes from the Latin word "provincia," which referred to...
. The proclamation was made by Captain John Hindmarsh
John Hindmarsh
Rear-Admiral Sir John Hindmarsh KH RN was a naval officer and the first Governor of South Australia, from 28 December 1836 to 16 July 1838.-Early life:...
, beside The Old Gum Tree
The Old Gum Tree
The Old Gum Tree is an historic site in Glenelg North, Australia. On 28 December 1836, the British governor John Hindmarsh delivered the proclamation creating the colony of South Australia. A ceremony is held on each year on Proclamation Day, with the current Governor reading out Hindmarsh's...
at Glenelg
Glenelg, South Australia
Glenelg is a popular beach-side suburb of the South Australian capital of Adelaide. Located on the shore of Holdfast Bay in Gulf St Vincent, it has become a popular tourist destination due to its beach and many attractions, home to several hotels and dozens of restaurants.Established in 1836, it is...
, on 28 December 1836. The proclamation included the same protection under the law for the local native population as for the settlers. It is now a public holiday
Public holidays in Australia
Public holidays in Australia are declared on a state and territory basis, with the exception of national public holidays.-Nature of public holidays:...
in South Australia, although this holiday is held on the first otherwise working day after the Christmas Day public holiday (usually 26 December). Formal ceremonies and celebrations are always held on 28 December.
The proclamation was printed by Robert Thomas
Robert Thomas (newspaper proprietor)
Robert Thomas was a newspaper proprietor, printer and early settler of South Australia.In 1836, Thomas migrated to the new colony with his wife Mary and family on the Africaine, arriving at Holdfast Bay on 8 November...
(1782–1860), who came from England with his family on the Africaine, which arrived at Holdfast Bay
Holdfast Bay
Holdfast Bay is a small bay in Gulf St Vincent, next to Adelaide, South Australia. Along its shores lie the City of Holdfast Bay and the popular beach-side suburb of Glenelg.-European settlement:...
on 8 November 1836. Thomas brought with him the first printing press to reach South Australia. The press was a Stanhope Invenit No. 200, and was on display in the State Library
State Library of South Australia
The State Library of South Australia, located on North Terrace, Adelaide, is the official library of the Australian state of South Australia. It is the largest public research library in the state with a collection focus on South Australian information, and general reference material for...
until 2001. The colonising fleet consisted of 10 vessels which gathered at Nepean Bay before being directed to Holdfast Bay
Holdfast Bay
Holdfast Bay is a small bay in Gulf St Vincent, next to Adelaide, South Australia. Along its shores lie the City of Holdfast Bay and the popular beach-side suburb of Glenelg.-European settlement:...
. The Africaine was the first to arrive, discharging settlers on 9 November 1836, followed by the Emma, the John Pirie, and the Tam O'Shanter. These deliberately preceded Governor John Hindmarsh on the Buffalo
HMS Buffalo (1813)
HMS Buffalo was a storeship of the Royal Navy, originally built in India as the merchant vessel Hindostan. She later served as a convict ship and as transport for immigrants to Australia before being wrecked in 1840.-Launch and purchase:...
to enable preparations including the printing of the proclamation in advance of his formal arrival on 28 December. Thomas's wife Mary
Mary Thomas (diarist)
Mary Thomas née Harris was a diarist, poet and early settler of South Australia.She accompanied her husband, newspaper proprietor Robert Thomas to South Australia on the Africaine and arrived at Holdfast Bay in November 1836...
(who died in 1875) published The Diary of Mary Thomas, in which she described the journey on the Africaine and the early years in South Australia. An extract from the diary reads:
One of the children of Robert and Mary Thomas was a surveyor who assisted Colonel William Light
William Light
Colonel William Light was a British military officer and the first Surveyor-General of the Colony of South Australia...
in the survey which led to the founding of the City of Adelaide
City of Adelaide
The City of Adelaide is a local government area in the metropolitan area of Adelaide, South Australia. It covers the original Adelaide city centre settlement, , North Adelaide, and the Adelaide Park Lands which surround North Adelaide and the city centre.Established in 1840, the organisation now...
. Another son, William Kyffin Thomas, inherited from his father the newspaper of the time, The Register, which his parents had set up. William had a son, also called Robert, who became senior proprietor of The Register. He was knighted by King Edward VII in 1909 when President of the first great Press Conference in London.
This is celebrated at the Old Gum Tree on December 28 each year.
.
Western Australia
Proclamation Day also refers to October 21, 1890, the day that responsible governmentResponsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
was proclaimed in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. It used to be a public holiday in Western Australia, but gradually the celebrations were pre-empted by those who wished to celebrate the achievement of the eight-hour day
Eight-hour day
The eight-hour day movement or 40-hour week movement, also known as the short-time movement, had its origins in the Industrial Revolution in Britain, where industrial production in large factories transformed working life and imposed long hours and poor working conditions. With working conditions...
. In 1919 it was renamed Labour Day
Labour Day
Labour Day or Labor Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. Labour Day has its origins in the labour union movement, specifically the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for...
, and shortly afterwards the celebration date changed, with the result that Proclamation Day is no longer a public holiday in Western Australia.
United Kingdom
Proclamation Day in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and presumably the other Commonwealth realm
Commonwealth Realm
A Commonwealth realm is a sovereign state within the Commonwealth of Nations that has Elizabeth II as its monarch and head of state. The sixteen current realms have a combined land area of 18.8 million km² , and a population of 134 million, of which all, except about two million, live in the six...
s, is the day on which a new King or Queen
Monarchy of the United Kingdom
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...
is proclaimed following the Demise of the Crown
Demise of the Crown
In relation to the shared monarchy of the Commonwealth realms and other monarchies, the demise of the Crown is the legal term for the end of a reign by a king, queen, or emperor, whether by death or abdication....
.
In the UK, this is marked by the raising of the Union Flag
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
from half-mast to its normal position, an exception in the normal process of mourning
Mourning
Mourning is, in the simplest sense, synonymous with grief over the death of someone. The word is also used to describe a cultural complex of behaviours in which the bereaved participate or are expected to participate...
. However, the Royal Standard is never flown at half-mast. When the monarch dies, the flag is lowered and immediately raised again, in accordance with the custom The King is dead. Long live the King
The King is dead. Long live the King!
The King is dead. Long live the King. is a traditional proclamation made following the accession of a new monarch in various countries, such as the United Kingdom....
.