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Darwin, one of the smaller outback towns of Australia, in the Northern territory, has a number of festivals and events lined up all through the year. Celebrated with a lot of energy and fervor, these festivals and events reflect the open-minded spirit of the city, which celebrates every occasion with fervor and excitement. Of the numerous events of the year, the one very well known event held in February every year is the Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin. On 19 February 1942, World War II came to Australia, when the Japanese dropped bombs over Darwin, sinking 8 ships, beaching and consequently losing 1, and permanently damaging 11. 3 ships however were beached and later re-floated. The bombing killed 22 waterside workers, as well as taking the lives of over 243 people, both armed personnel and civilians. The Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin commemorates this appalling day, which destroyed a section of the wharf, and began the trend that continued for over 21 months, with Darwin, Adelaide River, Katherine and Milingimbi in Arnhem Land being bombed more than 64 times. The Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin is an annual event conducted by the Darwin City Council, which considers it to be a very important event in the Northern Territory Events Calendar. The Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin is accompanied by a service that begins usually at 0930 each year, with the sounding of the WWII air raid siren at 0958. The time is set thus, so as to coincide with the time it sounded 65 years ago as Japanese bombers flew over the city. A number of regiments, based in Darwin, re-enact the historic attack. The Anniversary of the Bombing of Darwin is a tribute to honor and remember those who helped defend Darwin, and is held at the Cenotaph, at The Esplanade in Darwin.
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