1. Image: crowds in front of Parliament House

    Armistice Day 1918

    Huge crowds gathered on the streets of Adelaide on 11 November 1918 to celebrate the armistice of the First World War.

    Historical Event | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | North Terrace | 1910s

  2. Image: Crowd of people holding signs marching along street

    Beef Riot

    In January 1931, during the Great Depression, more than 1000 unemployed men clashed with police in protest at the replacement of beef with mutton on their ration tickets

    Historical Event | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | North Terrace, Southwest corner | 1930s

  3. Image: rectangular glass bottle with green label

    Bottle

    Bottle of herbal lotion sold by Mahomet Allum. 

    Collection Item | 1940s, 1950s

  4. Image: parade of floats watched by crowds lining street

    Centenary Celebrations 1936

    From sporting events to flower festivals and patriotic displays presented by thousands of children, South Australia's Centenary Celebrations emphasised the positive.

    Historical Event | By Margaret Anderson, History Trust of South Australia | 1930s

  5. Christmas Pageant

    One of the largest pageants in the world, come one, come all to Adelaide’s famous Christmas Pageant!

    Historical Event | By Anne Burrows | North Terrace | 1930s, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century

  6. Image: compass

    Compass

    This compass is believed to have been used by John William Billiatt on the successful 1861-1862 expedition with John McDouall Stuart across Australia, from Adelaide to Chambers Bay, east of the present site of Darwin.

    Collection Item | 1860s

  7. Image: World War One recruitment tour

    First World War

    The tragedy of war was compounded by disturbance on the homefront in wartime and post-war reconstruction activities.

    Historical Event | By Wilfrid Prest, Kerrie Round & Carol Fort | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s

  8. Women arranging flowers on the ground with buildings in the background

    Flower Day

    Every year between 1938 and 1975 Adelaidians showed pride in their city by beautifying it with mass displays of flowers on National Flower Day.

    Historical Event | By John Davis | North Terrace | 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s

  9. Image: row boat decorated with flowers

    Henley-on-Torrens Regatta

    In 1910 thousands of people lined the Torrens to see the carnival of lavishly decorated boats in the first Henley-on-Torrens Regatta

    Historical Event | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | Parklands, River Torrens | 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000-2010, 2010s

  10. Image: drawing of the Exchange Hotel

    Hindley Street riot

    Violence and election irregularities marred the process when, in 1855, South Australians got their first chance to elect politicians drawn from, and responsible to, the people.

    Historical Event | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | Hindley Street | 1850s

  11. Image: round tin with clear lid and brown substance in bottom

    Jerked Meat

    This sample of jerky came from the successful expedition made by John McDouall Stuart across Australia from south to north in 1861 - 1862. 

    Collection Item | 1860s

  12. Image: tin cup

    Pannikin

    Pannikin used by William Keckwick on expedition with John McDouall Stuart.

    Collection Item | 1860s

  13. Image: Blue and gold embroidered smoking cap

    Smoking Cap

    Smoking cap owned and worn by John McDouall Stuart.

    Collection Item | 1850s

  14. Image: worn teddy bear with stuffing showing

    Teddy Bear

    A well-worn teddy who's not afraid to show the stuff he's made of. 

    Collection Item | 1910s, 1920s

  15. Image: head and shoulders image of bearded man

    The Great Stuart Demonstration

    'A red letter day in the calendar of South Australia': welcoming home heroes

    Historical Event | By Mandy Paul, History Trust of South Australia | 1860s

  16. Governor Richard MacDonnell

    The opening of Parliament 1857

    Crowds gathered on 22 April 1857 to watch Governor Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell open South Australia’s first fully elected parliament.

    Historical Event | By Mandy Paul, History Trust of South Australia | North Terrace | 1850s

  17. Image: toy boat made of metal and painted red, blue and cream

    Toy Boat

    Model - Speed Boat with Motor.

    Collection Item | 1920s

  18. Image: Red metal bike with three wheels

    Tricycle

    Tricycle, painted red and white.

    Collection Item | 1950s

  19. Image: small circular badge with violets, cross and crown pictures

    Violet Day

    Before the poppy became the recognised flower for war memorials the violet, in South Australia, was the 'symbol of perpetual remembrance'.

    Historical Event | By Catherine Manning, History Trust of South Australia | 1910s, 1920s

  20. Image: book cover in discoloured beige with purple writing

    Violet Verses

    The publication 'Violet Verses' was released on 29 June in 1917 as part of the third Adelaide Violet Day, organised by the Cheer-Up society as a fundraiser for the war effort. 

    Collection Item | 1910s

  21. Image: A small circular badge with painted wattle flowers with text above them which says for our own

    Wattle Day

    1 September in Australia is Wattle Day, though not widely known, some have argued it should replace Australia Day.

    Historical Event | By Catherine Manning, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1900-1910, 1910s, early twentieth century, early twenty–first century, late twentieth century, mid twentieth century