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Canberra turns 100

Canberra turns 100

Canberra is celebrating its 100th birthday on 12 March 2013

Tuesday 12 March 2013 | Public Affairs

Canberra, Australia’s capital city, is celebrating its 100th birthday on Tuesday 12 March 2013.

12 March is the day the foundation stones were laid for a 'Commencement Column' in 1913, and the new Australian capital was officially named 'Canberra' by Lady Denman, wife of the then Governor-General, Thomas Denman.

After Federation in 1901, a site for the capital was sought, and Canberra was selected.

The Australian Capital Territory, where Canberra is located, was declared on 1 January 1911 and an international competition was held to design the new capital city of Australia. The competition was won by a submission from American architect Walter Burley Griffin with drawings drafted by Marion Mahony Griffin.

For more information on the history of Canberra please visit http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/canberra-australias-capital-city.

 

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