Travel through our timeline of major events in Australia's history.

40,000-60,000 B.C.:
People from southeast Asia settle in Australia. Their descendants are the Aboriginal people.

8,000 B.C.:
Aborigines invent the boomerang. This wooden weapon is used for hunting and returns to its thrower.

1770:
Great Britain claims Australia. It settles the first of six colonies in 1788.

1850s:
Gold is found in southern Australia. Entire settlements are deserted as folks rush to the gold mines.

1901:
The six colonies join to form the Commonwealth of Australia. It has a democratic government. Britain’s royalty has only a ceremonial role.

1927:
Canberra replaces Melbourne as Australia's capital city.

1962:
Australia’s native people are given the right to vote. Five years later, they’re recognized as citizens.

1973:
The Sydney Opera House opens.

1976:
The Aboriginal Land Rights Act is passed. It marks a legal turning point for the Aborigines, giving them the right to make claims on their ancestral land in the Northern Territory. Nine years later, Uluru is returned to Aborigines.

2000:
Sydney is the first major city in the world to celebrate the millennium. The city later hosts the Summer Olympics.