1. Historical Societies

   While statewide historical societies formed in New South Wales in 1901, Victoria in 1909, Queensland in 1913 and Western Australia in 1926, South Australians lagged in founding societies to commemorate their own history.

   This did not mean that all ignored their past. Several founders of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, South Australian Branch (1885), hoped that the society would devote much attention to the recording of history, and through their efforts the society fulfilled some functions of a state historical society.

   Historical Subject | By Kerrie Round | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

2. 

   History and Historians

   Historians of South Australia have asked one question above all others: how is South Australia different?

   Historical Subject | By Robert Dare | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

3. 

   Horseracing

   Reputed to be Australia’s third-largest industry, horseracing contributes to the national economy and state government revenues through direct employment and also through primary production, transport, tourism, media, entertainment and gambling.

   Historical Subject | By John Mannion | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

4. 

   Hurtle Square / Tangkaira

   Located in the south-east of Adelaide on the Kaurna peoples land of Tandayangga (place of the Red Kangaroo Dreaming), Hurtle Square was one of the six squares designed by Colonel William Light in his 1837 plan of Adelaide. 

   Historical Place | By Owen Hems | Southeast corner | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

5. 

   Industrialisation

   For three decades or so from the late 1930s, largely coinciding with the premiership of Tom Playford, rapid industrialisation transformed the state of South Australia. 

   Historical Subject | By David C Rich | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

6. 

   Irish in South Australia

   Irish immigrants have settled throughout the state of South Australia

   Historical Subject | By Migration Museum | late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

7. 

   Jewish in South Australia

   Jews are descendants of a nomadic people who lived in the Middle East in ancient times, or adherents of the Jewish religion.

   Historical Subject | By Migration Museum | early twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

8. 

   Jewish People

   Small in number over time, Adelaide’s Jews have contributed significantly to the professions, especially medicine, and are well represented in academia, industry and commerce. 

   Historical Subject | By Bruce Rosen | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

9. 

   Menge, Johannes

   Johannes Menge, born in Steinau, Germany, was South Australia's first geologist.

   Historical Person | By Bernie O'Neil | 1790s, early nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

10. 

    Tregenza, John

    John Tregenza's work has helped the South Australian public appreciate just how interesting and important their own history can be.

    Historical Person | By Wilfrid Prest | late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century

11. 

    Farr, Mrs. Julia

    The plight of the girls in the Destitute Asylum spurred on social worker Julia Farr.

    Historical Person | By Joan Clift | North Terrace, Parklands | late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

12. 

    Kaurna language (Kaurna warra)

    Kaurna, the original language of Adelaide and the Adelaide Plains, is once again being heard.

    Historical Subject | By Rob Amery | Aboriginal Country pre-contact, early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century

13. 

    Kaurna People

    The original people of the Adelaide Plains are still here - and once again speaking the Kaurna language.

    Historical Subject | By Lewis Yerloburka O'Brien & Mandy Paul | Aboriginal Country pre-contact, early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

14. 

    Letters Patent

    South Australia's founding document is once again the source of intense political and legal debate.

    Historical Subject | By Mandy Paul, History Trust of South Australia | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

15. 

    Light Horse Memorial

    Remembering South Australian Light Horsemen who served in Egypt and Palestine and at Gallipoli

    Historical Thing | By Jude Elton & Bernard O'Neil, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, Boer War, early twenty–first century

16. 

    Light Square/ Wauwi

    Originally intended as a recreational garden oasis from the surrounding city, Light Square, however, developed a reputation for prostitution, drinking and violence.

    Historical Place | By Owen Hems | Northwest corner | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

17. Logic (Pinba)

    Logic (Pinba), a convicted murderer, was described in the Advertiser of 12 December 1885 as ‘one of the most popular men in the colony’. 

    Historical Person | By Robert Foster | early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

18. 

    Magarey Medal

    An award for the ‘fairest and most brilliant player’ in South Australia’s major Australian Rules football competition

    Historical Thing | By Bernard Whimpress | 1890s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

19. Magazines

    The first South Australian magazine to focus on local content was the South Australian Magazine, first published in 1841. Other magazines published during the nineteenth century include: Illustrated Adelaide Post, Pictorial Australian, Observer Miscellany, Adelaide Punch, Lantern, and Quiz.South Australian magazines published in the twentieth century include: Pheonix, Chapbook, and Angry Penguins. ‘Street press’, free newsprint magazines, began appearing in the last decades of the twentieth century with such titles as dB and Rip It Up . 

    Historical Subject | By Anthony Laube | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century

20. 

    Maralinga

    The main site for joint Australian–British nuclear weapons tests in Australia lies 800 kilometres north-west of Adelaide on the southern edge of the Great Victoria Desert. 

    Historical Place | By Peter Morton | early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

21. 

    Marriage and divorce

    Marriage and divorce rates have fluctuated according to social mores and legislative imposts. 

    Historical Subject | By Margaret Allen | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

22. 

    MacKillop, Mary

    An educationist and co-founder of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Mary MacKillop is now famous as Australia’s only Catholic saint.

    Historical Person | By Sister Marie Foale | Central Market, North Terrace | 1900-1910, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

23. 

    Moorhouse, Dr. Matthew

    Matthew Moorhouse, a medical practitioner, arrived in South Australia from Staffordshire, England, in June 1839 to take up appointment as the colony’s first permanent protector of Aboriginals. 

    Historical Person | By Robert Foster | early nineteenth century, late nineteenth century, mid nineteenth century

24. 

    Methodist Church

    Several of the brands of Methodism introduced to colonial South Australia merged in 1977 to become the Uniting Church.

    Historical Organisation | By Arnold D Hunt | Hindley Street | 1830s, 1840s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

25. 

    Ngadlu Padninthi Kamangka (We Walk Together) mural

    Narisha Cash's mural acknowledges and celebrates the Kaurna people as the traditional owners and custodians of Adelaide and the Adelaide plains. 

    Historical Thing | By Catherine Barron, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 2010s, Aboriginal Country pre-contact, early twenty–first century

26. 

    North Terrace West

    Stretching from Adelaide’s first survey point to Parliament House, the character of this part of North Terrace continues to evolve

    Historical Place | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1830s, 1840s, 1850s, 1860s, 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900-1910, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, early twenty–first century

27. 

    Nursing

    On-the-job experience was the only training for the earliest nurses, but the profession is now part of the higher education sector

    Historical Subject | By Joan Durdin | early nineteenth century, early twentieth century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

28. 

    Oral History

    There’s a lot to talk about with history – while history doesn’t stop being made it, record it while you can

    Historical Subject | By Beth M Robertson | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, Great Depression, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century, Second World War

29. 

    Paper Bag

    Michelle Nikou's bronze sculpture stands in almost comic contrast with the plinths that populate North Terrace further west. 

    Historical Thing | By Catherine Barron, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 2010s, early twenty–first century

30. 

    Penfolds

    From medicinal benefits to international stature, some of Dr Penfold’s wines have acquired legendary status.

    Historical Organisation | By Anne Burrows | early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late nineteenth century, late twentieth century, mid nineteenth century, mid twentieth century

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