- 1897 – The Australasian Athletic Union was established in Sydney.
- 1899 – The word wowser is first used by John Norton, editor of the Melbourne Truth newspaper.
- 1908 – The capital of Australia was chosen, settling a feud between rivals Melbourne and Sydney.
- 1925 – John Baird, 1st Viscount Stonehaven is appointed the eighth Governor General of Australia.
- 1928 – Neil Harvey, Australian cricketer, was born in Fitzroy, Melbourne.
- 1931 – Death of Sir John Monash, Australian military commander of the First World War, in Melbourne aged 66.
- 1939 – Paul Hogan AM, actor, comedian and former rigger, was born in Lightning Ridge, New South Wales.
- 1978 – Australia's Ken Warby sets the current world water speed record of 510 km/h (317.60 mph) at Blowering Dam, New South Wales.
- 2003 – Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark's engagement to Australian lawyer Mary Donaldson is announced.
- 2004 – Schapelle Corby is apprehended by police in Indonesia carrying 4.1 kg of cannabis.