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Who discovered Australia
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Well that depends on who you ask doesn’t it. Ask an aboriginal and they will point out to you that their race did since they were here centuries before Christ. The Indonesians have been visiting the north western sector for centuries. The Portuguese colonised Timor in 1550, then sighted Australia shortly afterwards, or so the internet tells me. Then in 1606 a Dutchman by the name of Janszoon shortly followed by another Dutchman by the name of Tasman. Captain Cook mapped the east coast and the British arrived to settle it with what is known as the first fleet. That was 1788. It was then Australia was proclaimed a British Colony. This fleet consisted of 11 ships and the top dog was Governor Phillip. The landing was in Botany Bay (read Sydney). In addition to Governor Phillip were some free settlers who must have been adventurous to immigrate to an unknown quantity and of course the prisoners. They had the choice,capital sentence executed or immigrate.
Cook’s expeditions took him to Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, Australia, Antarctica,Canada and Alaska. Following these marvellous fetes his last point of call was Hawaii. He needed to remast his vessel but stayed too long. His crew were apparently making eyes and making love to the local girls and the local blokes had had enough. He was speared and eaten.
The Australian flag has the union jack in the top left corner. For many years many Australians have been agitating for Australia to become a republic thus independent for Britain. We had a referendum some years back and we decided to stay as is. I think we would be better to be independent but voted to remain, why? Each timea change is made the government seem to acquire more power and authority. They have more than enough now. Many would like the flag changed, mainly the removal of the union jack. It was a supprise for me when in Hawaii and see that they too have the union jack in the same position as we do here. I mention that because many Australians are trying to become Americans as fast as possible. Many businesses such as McDonalds, TV starting with Sesame Street plus sitcoms. Many of our words tend to get pronounced as Americans pronounce. For you Americans it is pertinent for me to say I like America and Americans but wish to remain Australian.

Now Christopher Columbus. Born Italian but with his family immigrated to Spain as a kid. Became a sailor and in the late 1400’s approached the Spanish government for finance. This was rejected, the Spanish were preoccupied with warring with the Muslims. Following the captureof the last Muslim stronghold of Grenada Columbus was financed, a 3 ship fleet to explore a route to India and the spice islands which are of course Indonesia. Several trips were made and on one he believed he had arrived in India but he was infact in the Caribbean between Miami and Venezuela. I have copied the account below directly from Wikipedia.

When he landed in the Antilles, Columbus referred to there sident peoples he encountered there as "Indians" reflecting his purported belief that he had reached the Indian Ocean. The name stuck; for centuries the native people of the Americas were collectively called "Indians" in various European languages.

Now this account got to be quite long didn’t it. That was not intended.

So how did the American natives become known as Indians?

Controversy does exist about these explorers and even these portraits. I will not be offended if you Deluxe, or any other reader contradict me.