In 1901, Australia became a federation, joining six British colonies into one country. The new nation needed a flag. Prime Minister Edmund Barton decided to hold a competition to find a design. More than 33,000 people sent their ideas. Finally, five winners had almost the same design.
The flag shows three important symbols. First, the Union Jack represents the historical link with the United Kingdom. Second, the Southern Cross constellation shows Australia’s location in the Southern Hemisphere. Finally, a big star with six points represents the six states. Later, a seventh point was added for the territories. There were two version of the flag : one blue and one red. On september 3, 1901, the blue flag was raised for the first time in Melbourne. Some Australians loved the new flag, but others thought it looked too much like the british flag of Victoria. Still, the flag became the national symbol of Australia and is flown in difficut times and celebrations
Vocabulary :
• Federation (noun) : a group of states or regions that join together under one government.
• Colony (noun : a country or area ruled by another, usually far away.
• Competition (noun) : an event where people try to win by doing something better than others.
• Territorry (noun) : an area of land that belongs to a country but is not a state.
• Exhibition (noun) : a public event where tings are shown to people.
• Inspiring (adjective) : making you feel excited and full of hope.