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Quiz about Celebrate Good Times
Quiz about Celebrate Good Times

Celebrate Good Times Trivia Quiz


Australia is jokingly called the "Land of the Long Weekend" for its plethora of public holidays. So fire up the barbie and celebrate these historic events with me.

A multiple-choice quiz by leith90. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
leith90
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
332,315
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
8 / 10
Plays
1220
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 106 (10/10), Guest 4 (2/10), Guest 38 (7/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. January 1st may be the start of a new year, but it also marks the beginning of the Commonwealth of Australia. In which year did this auspicious occasion take place? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Australia Day is celebrated on January 26 to commemorate the landing of the First Fleet in Port Jackson, in 1788. Who captained the first fleet on this historic voyage? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. While not a public holiday, or particularly Australian, which March day is celebrated by a parade through Sydney, an excuse to drink too much, and a decidedly green theme to boot? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. On what date do Australians celebrate ANZAC Day, to remember those soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fell at Gallipoli in World War I? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. We're really not trying to skive off work, but which Australian holiday marks the introduction of the eight-hour working day? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. As a member of the Commonwealth, most of Australia celebrates their monarch's birthday on the second Monday in June. Which State or Territory doesn't celebrate on this day? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. If you're lucky enough to live in Brisbane, you get a public holiday in August to attend the Royal Queensland Show. But this is a mouthful and Aussies love to shorten names, so what do Brisbanites call this event? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. For one day in November, the nation dons the glad rags, drinks too much and bets too much on the celebrated Melbourne Cup. Which horse won the inaugural Melbourne Cup in 1861? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Who or what gatecrashed Darwin's Christmas party in 1974? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Boxing Day got its name from the old tradition when bosses boxed up gifts for their workers. But down under, a perilous race begins. Which event was originally called the "Bluewater Classic"? Hint





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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. January 1st may be the start of a new year, but it also marks the beginning of the Commonwealth of Australia. In which year did this auspicious occasion take place?

Answer: 1901

The idea of Australia's six states merging to form the Australian Federation was first broached by then New South Wales Premier Sir Henry Parkes. New Zealand and Fiji were also considering joining, but later declined. The draft Constitution was passed through British Parliament, and the way was paved for the establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia on January 1, 1901.
2. Australia Day is celebrated on January 26 to commemorate the landing of the First Fleet in Port Jackson, in 1788. Who captained the first fleet on this historic voyage?

Answer: Captain Arthur Phillip

The First Fleet, led by Captain (later, Admiral) Arthur Phillip originally landed, on January 18, in Botany Bay, as recommended by James Cook. However the bay was not protected, had no fresh water, and the land was heavily treed. These trees also were very strong and the axes soon broke, necessitating the use of gunpowder to clear the area. Five days later, Phillip led a small party (including Captain John Hunter) to find a better site. They found Port Jackson, just to the north, which had everything they could want, including fertile soil. The First Fleet left Botany Bay and landed in Port Jackson on 26 January.

Celebrations of Australia Day have been held unofficially since 1808, but the first official celebration wasn't held until 1818. A public holiday for the occasion was first granted in New South Wales in 1836, followed by Victoria in 1931. All other States and Territories adopted the holiday by 1946.

Since 1960, the Australian Of the Year has been announced on Australia's National Day.
3. While not a public holiday, or particularly Australian, which March day is celebrated by a parade through Sydney, an excuse to drink too much, and a decidedly green theme to boot?

Answer: St Patrick's Day

Observed on March 17 each year, St Patrick's Day is seen as a time to flaunt your Irish heritage, whether you have any or not. Or it could just be an excuse to drink too much and act the fool. While not an official public holiday, the event is so popular that many pubs (Irish or not) serve Irish food, play Irish music and, of course, serve Guinness and green beer. Schools as well see the tuckshops selling green pikelets (small pancakes) and jelly (Jell-o to any Americans playing this) as a treat. Parades are usually held in Sydney and Brisbane on a weekend close to March 17.
4. On what date do Australians celebrate ANZAC Day, to remember those soldiers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fell at Gallipoli in World War I?

Answer: April 25

While ANZAC Day originally only celebrated the efforts of the ANZACS at Gallipoli, now it pays homage to any citizen who serves their Country in war. The ANZACS landed at Gallipoli on April 25 and immediately encountered fierce resistance by Ottoman Turkish defenders. By the end of 1915, over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed, and the following year saw April 25 named as the first ANZAC Day.

Commemoration services featuring Dawn services and marches by Veterans are held at war memorials throughout the country. The fallen are honoured during these services, and their sacrifices are reflected upon during the playing of The Last Post", and the fourth stanza of Paul Binyon's poem "For the Fallen" is often recited as well.
5. We're really not trying to skive off work, but which Australian holiday marks the introduction of the eight-hour working day?

Answer: Labour Day

On April 21st, 1856, building workers on Melbourne construction sites downed tools and marched to Parliament House to lobby for the shorter working day. The eight-hour day was to allow for eight hours recreation and eight hours sleep. A slight problem in that it doesn't allow for travel time to and from work, that gets taken out of your recreation or sleep allowance. I knew there had to be a catch somewhere.

Although the day is a National holiday, it is not celebrated concurrently.
6. As a member of the Commonwealth, most of Australia celebrates their monarch's birthday on the second Monday in June. Which State or Territory doesn't celebrate on this day?

Answer: Western Australia

Western Australia celebrates its Foundation Day on the first Monday in June, and perish the thought that the Sand-gropers should have two long weekends in a row. So they changed the date to either the last Monday of September or the first Monday in October.
7. If you're lucky enough to live in Brisbane, you get a public holiday in August to attend the Royal Queensland Show. But this is a mouthful and Aussies love to shorten names, so what do Brisbanites call this event?

Answer: Ekka

The ten-day Brisbane Agricultural Show was originally called The Brisbane Exhibition (called the Ekka) but the name has since changed to the Royal Queensland Show. Many people now just call the event "The Show". While there are many country themed attractions such as the wood chop, blacksmithing, horse and cattle judging and sheepdog trials, youngsters are drawn to the animal nursery, side-show alley (fairground rides, the faster the better) and the show bags (bags full of lollies and junk they're not normally allowed to eat in such vast quantities).

The public holiday is held on the Wednesday of the show and is known as People's Day, with the grand parade of livestock held in the main arena.
8. For one day in November, the nation dons the glad rags, drinks too much and bets too much on the celebrated Melbourne Cup. Which horse won the inaugural Melbourne Cup in 1861?

Answer: Archer

Archer, trained by Etienne de Mestre and ridden by John Cutts won the first race in 1861, and backed up the following year to cement their place in Australian history. Originally the race was held over a distance of 2 miles (3218m) but when Australia adopted the metric system in the '70s, the distance became 3200 meters.

Melbournians are given a public holiday for the honour of hosting the Cup, but for the rest of Australia, it's business as usual. Almost. The poor unfortunates who work usually indulge in special lunches, hat parades and office sweeps. But almost everyone who can, downs tools for a few minutes in the afternoon to watch the race on television screens around the rest of the country. This is why the Cup has been called "The race that stops a nation".
9. Who or what gatecrashed Darwin's Christmas party in 1974?

Answer: Cyclone Tracy

Tracy roared into Darwin just after midnight on Christmas Day in 1974. The cyclone killed 71 people, caused $837 million in damage (1974 AUD) and destroyed more than 70 percent of Darwin's buildings, including 80 percent of houses. Over 30,000 of Darwin's 47.000 inhabitants were evacuated, and many never returned to the city after it was rebuilt.
10. Boxing Day got its name from the old tradition when bosses boxed up gifts for their workers. But down under, a perilous race begins. Which event was originally called the "Bluewater Classic"?

Answer: Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, hosted by the Cruising yacht Club of Australia, Starts in Sydney on Boxing Day, and finishes in Hobart, some 1170 kilometres away. The race began as a cruise for interested yachties, until Captain John Illingworth, a visiting British Royal Naval Officer, suggested it could be made into a race.

The inaugural race was held in 1945, and the event has grown to become one of the top three offshore races in the world. "Rani", who took six days, 114 hours and 22 minutes to complete the journey, won this first race. However, modern yachts are able to arrive in Hobart within two days of leaving Sydney.
Source: Author leith90

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