Acacia flower species which is popularly known as Wattle in Australia has a day in its honour too and that is the National Wattle Day!
Australia celebrates its Wattle Day annually on 1st September and this signifies the beginning of a spring season in Australia.
Golden Wattle is the national floral emblem of Australia and that's why it is regarded with such high status in Australia and so it is a symbol of Australia as well.
| Event | Wattle Day |
|---|---|
| Date | September 1, 2022 |
| Day | Thursday |
| Significance | Honors the national floral emblem of Australia |
| Observed by | Australia |
Wattle Day History:
The first origins of the Wattle Day can be traced back to 1800s in Tasmania. At that time the first Hobart Town Anniversary was held in which the island was celebrating its discovery by the Dutch and while doing do they initiated a procession under an arch decorated with wattle blossoms. And this custom continued till atleast 1883.
Between the 1860s and 1900s even literature and poetry honored the wattle and its importance. And during this time period only the demand for making wattle as Australia's floral emblem and national flower was started.
Then we have seen that over the time many prominent personalities have spoken out in support of recognizing wattle. Like in 1908 Ornithologist and field naturalist Archibald James Campbell made a speech where he demanded for a special day for wattle.
Later in 1986 the wattle campaign started by Environmentalist Maria Hitchcock to get official recognition for wattles as both Australia's national floral emblem and for a special day of wattles.
Then on September 1st, 1988 Australia's governor general designated the golden wattle as the country's national flower. Later on June 23, 1992 September 1 was officially proclaimed as the Wattle Day by Bill Hayden, the governor-general of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Wattle Day Significance:
Although now the day is celebrated to honor the wattle and to welcome the spring season of Australia but in the start it was not like this. As the original purpose of the Wattle Day was intended to promote and enhance the patriotism in the then relatively modern nation of Australia.
And it was in this way because wattle remained a strong of patriotism in Australia during the war years. And at those times soldiers returning from battlefield were offered wattle as greetings to pay respect to them.
Wattles are also very beautiful flower species and about 1,071 different types of wattles are there in Australia and that's why it is considered as a floral symbol of Australia because of its abundance and it grows during spring season like most other flowers so in this way it celebrates the beginning of spring in Australia.
Golden Wattle is a unifying symbol of Australia and Australians. There is no other symbol that says so much about Australian people and the land of Australia. Wattles represents the beautiful landscape of the country and beauty of it's people too.
Wattle Day Facts:
Now let's learn about some of the very interesting and fun facts about the wattle:
- Acacias are called as wattles in Australia because the people there believed the stem of this plant was used to make wattles which are interlaced rods.
- Wattles are very resilient plant as they can withstand extreme conditions such as droughts, winds and bushfires too.
- In many places around the world like India, New Zealand, South Africa, Portugal, Indonesia and many others Wattle is considered as a weed.
- Wattles are mentioned in the official victory song of the Australian cricket team.
- Wattle is a strong candidate for Australia's national flag if Australia decides to cut ties with Britain as a commonwealth nation.
Most Searched FAQs on National Wattle Day:
1. When is National Wattle Day is celebrated?
National Wattle Day is celebrated on 1st September every year in Australia.
2. What does the wattle symbolizes?
The resilient wattle species is said to represent the resilience of the Australian people.
3. What is wattle used for?
Wattle plants have a wide variety of uses and have been a source of wood, food, fodder for animals, medicines, perfumes, and even oils.