Australians are dismal failures at knowing their country's history according to results of a survey issued to coincide with Australia Day, The Canberra Times reported on its front page on this day in 1983.
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A Melbourne market-research company commissioned by Jaycees asked 596 people in all states a series of questions about Australia Day and the country's origins.
Only 39 per cent knew January 26 was Australia Day, and 26 per cent could not even offer a date.
Among the 122 people questioned under 25, only 27 per cent knew the day, almost one-third worse than than the average figure.
One-third of all people questioned did not know what event was celebrated on Australia Day. Among the under 25s, the figure was 46 per cent.
On the controversial issue of when Australia Day should be celebrated, 50 per cent said it should be on January 26, 37 per cent believed it should be the nearest Monday and 11 per cent had no preference.
Nearly 80 per cent of all people questioned said they were very proud to be Australian, 16 per cent said they were somewhat proud and 5 per cent were not proud at all.
In the under 25 group, 68 per cent were very proud. The president of Jaycees, Mr Des Powell, described the results of the survey as "not very exciting". But he did not believe they reflected a lack of faith in the nation.
"Just because you don't know when Australia Day is doesn't mean you are any worse an Australian," he said.
But he was pleased the 77 per cent of all people questioned had said they were very proud to be Australian, indication that Australians were more patriotic than they had been.
