Eureka Rebellion Allegiance Sworn

Date: November 29, 1854 • Location: Ballarat Central, Australia

This milestone marked the outbreak and beginning of this historic period, which spanned 1854.

An estimated crowd of more than 10,000 demonstrators swore allegiance to the Eureka Flag (pictured) as a symbol of defiance in advance of the Eureka Rebellion in Ballarat, Australia.

The Eureka Flag was flown at the Battle of the Eureka Stockade, which took place on 3 December 1854 at Ballarat in Victoria, Australia on Bakers Hill. It was the culmination of the 1851 to 1854 Eureka Rebellion on the Victorian goldfields. Gold miners protested the cost of mining permits, the officious way the colonial authorities enforced the system, and other grievances. An estimated crowd of over 10,000 demonstrators swore allegiance to the flag as a symbol of defiance at Bakery Hill on 29 November 1854. It was then flown over the Eureka Stockade during the battle that resulted in at least 27 deaths. Around 120 miners were arrested, and many others were badly wounded, including five soldiers.