why was today," the day that stops the nation" (Australia)?

Question

How many overseas y/as know, how many aussies know?

Answer 1

The most awaited horse race each year is held on this day the 1st Tuesday of November in Melbourne. It is known as the Melbourne cup one of the Worlds greatest horse races over 2 miles. The whole of Australia waits to hear or see this race on the media and literally stop what they are doing for that period of time ~~

Answer 2

It's not the right date to celebrate: we don't celebrate the start of the Vietnam War, the onset of Horse Flu, or the Influenza Epidemic. Why do we celebrate Australia on the anniversary of an invasion* that has marginalised and dispossessed the oldest culture on the planet? (*Definition: Invasion: entrance as if to take possession or overrun). I descend from those invading "pioneers". Many came here as victims of oppression: cultural, economic, famine, religious and ethic. Yet they learned nothing from the experience and proceeded to do the same to traditional Australians over the past six generations. They cleared too much land, they drove wildlife to extinction, and they gridded out a proud culture with their fences and stock. I am SORRY that my family benefited and others continue to suffer and I also take opportunities to ACT on my apology. I am keen to help our more recent Australian arrivals learn about this and acknowledge the people of the country they also benefit from inhabiting. Being a good mate is what Australia is about - not celebrating an event of oppression. (Some of the comments above are indicative of the continuing psychological problem some people have about this. So sad.) Let's pick another date please, and not at such a hot time of year and so close to Christmas and New Year holidays. Why not replace the "Queen's Birthday"? It's celebrated on different dates in different States - and it's not the birthday of the current English monarch anyway. Just an excuse for a day off and some pyromania. Who cares that it was Queen Victoria's birthday? Make it Australia Day and let off those fireworks in the low bushfire risk season instead of frying on the beach again.

Answer 3

Because they give a public holiday for a horse race, not common and a lot of people stop to hear the race

Answer 4

Melbourne Cup.
Just a horse race, as usual another horse had to be put down in a previous race today after crashing into a barrier!
But as long as everybody made plenty of money, what's one horse??
Oooops, shouldn't I have said that!!

Answer 5

the public holiday is only in melbourne though, no one else gets it.......and i dont stop to watch the race and im australian

Answer 6

because of the melbourne cup... im a tasmanian...thats part of australia

Answer 7

Because Australian's are big gamblers.

Answer 8

melbourne cup!!