1. Adelaide 1875

    This engraving of Adelaide created by South Australian artist Thomas Peirce is the earliest known ‘bird’s eye’ view of the city. 

    Maps and Panoramas | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1870s

  2. Adelaide 1876

    Zoom in to this aerial view of the City of Adelaide in 1876 for a wonderfully detailed, three dimensional picture of its buildings and surrounds. 

    Maps and Panoramas | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1870s

  3. Adelaide Festival of the Arts

    This festival is widely recognised as one of the great international arts festivals, while its accompanying Writers’ Week is the largest literary event of its kind.

     

    Historical Event | By Lance Campbell | 1960s, 1970s, 1990s, 2000-2010

  4. 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

  5. Hand drawn map of South Adelaide

    Book Plan of South Adelaide

    Book Plan of South Adelaide. Courtesy of the State Library of South Australia, SLSA: B1578746 

    Prior to the development of the suburbs of Adelaide, ‘South Adelaide’ was the name given to the city area bordered by North, South, East and West Terraces. ‘South Adelaide’ was distinguished from ‘North Adelaide’, located across the River Torrens. 

    Maps and Panoramas | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1880s

  6. Duncan Case

    George Ian Ogilvie Duncan, a lecturer in law at the University of Adelaide, drowned on 10 May after being thrown into the River Torrens. Rumours spread that officers from the vice squad engaged in ‘poofter bashing’ had killed Duncan.

    Historical Event | By Tim Reeves | River Torrens | 1970s, 1980s, 1990s

  7. Image: Hot air balloon

    First aerial ascent

    American aeronaut Thomas Gale made South Australia’s first successful aerial ascent in June 1871

    Historical Event | By Corinne Ball, Migration Museum | North Terrace | 1870s

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. Kingston Map

    The Kingston Map of Adelaide of shows building development and the variety of construction just six years after colonial occupation of the site.

    Maps and Panoramas | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1840s

  12. Image: sepia city map

    Light’s Plan of Adelaide, 1840

    Light’s Plan of Adelaide as printed in 1840 gives the names of people who first bought land in the city and the title numbers of the town acres that they purchased.

    Maps and Panoramas | By Jude Elton, History Trust of South Australia | 1830s, 1840s

  13. Image: men and women in 1970s era clothes march down a city street with pink and black balloons and signs reading "gay pride" and "homosexual liberation"

    Proud Parade

    Adelaide’s very first Gay Pride March took place on Saturday 15 September 1973. 

    Historical Event | By Will Sergeant | Central Market, River Torrens, Rundle Mall, Rundle Street east | 1970s

  14. 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

  15. 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