Dog Collars and Leashes

The first iteration of the Australian flag was raised on September 3, 1901 over the Royal Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne. The design was chosen out of over 32,000 submissions mostly from Australia but also from other parts of the world. Because of the similarities of their submitted design, five individuals were given credit for the chosen design which included two teenagers, an architect, an artist and a ship's officer.

Even after its debut the flag's design continued to evolve slightly. In 1903 a seventh point was added to the Commonwealth Star (the one beneath the Union Jack) to represent the seven Australian territories. It wasn't until 1953 that the flag was legally recognized as the Australian National Flag.

In 1996 the Governor-General, Sir William Deane, proclaimed September 3rd as Australian National Flag Day to commemorate the day in 1901 on which the national flag of "Stars and Crosses" was first raised.

Set on a blue field, the flag of Australia contains the Union Flag (or Union Jack) in the upper left corner. Because Australia was colonized by the British it was felt that Britain's symbol merited a place on Australia's flag. Beneath that is the Federation Star, also know as the Commonwealth Star. In the right half of the flag is the constellation know as the Southern Cross which is made up of five stars and is one of the most notable constellations in the southern hemisphere.

Reasons to Celebrate

• Australia Day - January 26
• Boxing Day - December 26