Tasmania Timeline of Events

Home / Timelines / Tasmania

Tasmania

Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart precinct...

Timeline of Events

1642

11.24.1642

Abel Tasman becomes the first European to discover the island Van Diemen's Land (later renamed Tasmania).

1804

10.9.1804

Hobart, capital of Tasmania, is founded.

1856

2.7.1856

The colonial Tasmanian Parliament passes the second piece of legislation (the Electoral Act of 1856) anywhere in the world providing for elections by way of a secret ballot.

1901

1.1.1901

The British colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia federate as the Commonwealth of Australia; Edmund Barton is appointed the first Prime Minister.

1902

12.10.1902

Women are given the right to vote in Tasmania.

1936

9.7.1936

The last surviving member of the thylacine species, Benjamin, dies alone in her cage at the Hobart Zoo in Tasmania.

1975

1.5.1975

The Tasman Bridge in Tasmania, Australia, is struck by the bulk ore carrier ''Lake Illawarra'', killing twelve people.

1996

4.28.1996

In Tasmania, Australia, Martin Bryant goes on a shooting spree, killing 35 people and seriously injuring 21 more.