Queensland Day is observed in the Australian state of Queensland every June 6, commemorating the day in 1859 when Queensland officially separated from New South Wales. This official holiday honors the cultural and historical heritage of the state, which is the second-largest and third-most populous in Australia. Celebrations include various cultural events, notably the Queensland Greats Awards ceremony, which has recognized outstanding contributions from individuals across diverse fields since 2001. The first European to explore what is now Queensland was Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon in 1606, followed by British navigator James Cook in 1770, who claimed the region for Great Britain. The first settlement was established in 1823, and by 1859, the Letters Patent creating Queensland were signed by Queen Victoria. The capital of Queensland is Brisbane, with other significant cities including Cairns and the Gold Coast.