It’s Canberra Day

Yo, people – Right now it’s Monday in Australia where there there’s a public holiday in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).   The national capital was founded 99 years ago on the 12^th of March. 

According to this morning’s Canberra Times, government dignitaries are celebrating the day by planting flowers known as Canberra Bells.

Canberra Bells. Photos: Fagg, M.

The correa shrub is native to Australia and blooms in the Fall.  The Canberra variety has been developed specifically for the 100^th celebration, so that the city will be filled with blossoms on its birthday!

Images are provided courtesy of the Australian National Botanic Gardens.
  
For some really neat views of the city, see the Parliament House at Sunset and other photos by Ilya Glenn on his blog.

Canberra is one of the cities that our Student Ambassador delegation will visit this summer (winter there).   The blooms will be gone, but I know it’s gonna be neat being there.  I’ve never been outside North America, but thanks to your help I’m now Australia bound.