25 October 1616 - Dirk Hartog Discovered Australia

Dirk Hartog was a Dutch sea captain and explorer known for making one of the earliest recorded European landings on the western coast of Australia. On October 25, 1616, he arrived at what is now known as Dirk Hartog Island, off the coast of Shark Bay in Western Australia. using the ship "Eendracht." The Eendracht was a Dutch East India Company (VOC) vessel. Hartog's landing is significant because it marked one of the first documented European contacts with the Australian continent.

During his time on Dirk Hartog Island, he left an inscribed pewter plate, known as the Dirk Hartog Plate, which is considered one of the earliest European artifacts found in Australia. The plate provided valuable evidence of the Dutch exploration of the Australian coastline during the early 17th century.

It's important to note that Dirk Hartog's landing did not result in the extensive exploration or colonization of Australia, as this would occur later by other European explorers, particularly the British, in the 18th century.