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Oracle of DelphiDecember 3 - The Eureka Stockade
December 2nd 2006 23:36
December 3, 1854
Commonly seen as the birth of Australian democracy, December 3 is the anniversary of the Eureka Stockade, the result of built up dissatisfaction amongst miners in Australia. The stockade was built on Bakery Hill, in Ballarat, and was manned by 150 miners on December 3 when 276 police attacked, resulting in the deaths of fourteen miners.
The foundation of the Stockade lay in the 1850s gold rush, which attracted up to 25, 000 miners in Ballarat alone, originating from Ireland, Britain, Europe, China and North America. A newly liberated colony, Victoria was still attempting to establish a functional government, and consequently a sufficient source of income. With the influx of miners, the use of miner's licenses became one of those sources.
However, with the quickly depleting source of gold, many miners were unable to pay the licenses, causing police to engage in "license hunts." By September of 1854, these hunts became much more frequent, leading to miner protests, and eventually the Eureka Stockade. On November 29, twelve thousand miners swore an oath by the Southern Cross against British authorities, burning their licenses.
Leader of the stockade, Peter Lalor, reported fourteen miners dead after the battle which took place early morning on December 3 1854. Arrests and treason trials began on December 4, with Ballarat Times reporter Henry Seekamp arrested only a day after the Eureka battle. Nevertheless, the Eureka Stockade is seen as a defining moment of Australian history, representive of the country's continuing multiculturalism, and relatively democratic society.
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Comment by katyzzz
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Comment by Damo
For the next few weeks I am working in Ballarat so the sense of history seems more real.
Comment by Jessicca
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Do hope that the history posts will do you really good in what you are working on.
Comment by Lilla
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...a real beaut...
I love what you're doing here with this historical stuff... good one!
Lilla...