In Canberra throughout May, Spanish flags will fly to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the naming of Australia by the Spanish* captain, Pedro Fernandez de Quiros, on the day of Pentecost in 1606.
An initiative of the specially formed community group, Naming Australia Incorporated, the Spanish flag-flying is one of a series of events planned to honour the occasion.
They include a visit by members of the Spanish Parliament, a Naming Australia Essay Competition for students in ACT, a Fiesta, the Floriade 2006 floral carnival and a Gala Dinner. The Canberra Times will feature on the naming of Australia in their 12th of May edition, ahead of the anniversary Sunday 14th May.
While Naming Australia Incorporated hopes the commemorations will strengthen ties between Australia and Spain, the date is also important for Christians.
In 1606 the 14th of May was the 50th day after Easter, Whitsunday, or the day of Pentecost. Captain de Quiros was not only aware of the coincidence, but the devout Catholic went as far as naming Australia in honour of the day, calling it Austrialia del Espiritu Santo, which translates to The Great South Land of the Holy Spirit.
Sources:
http://www.namingaustralia.org.au/
http://www.namingaustralia.org.au/competition.htm
http://www.embaspain.com/home.html
http://www.embaspain.com/IVCentNavEnglish.html
http://www.embaspain.com/IVCentNavQuirosEnglish.html
de Looper, Michael (1989) ‘Pedro Fernandez de Quiros’ Understanding our Christian Heritage II, A Journal of the Christian History Research Institute, Orange NSW www.chr.org.au pp 34-38
Langdon, Robert (1988) The Lost Caravel Re-explored, Brolga Press, Canberra pp 53-57.
*de Quiros was Portuguese by nationality but sailed on behalf of the King of Spain, who funded his voyages
