The King’s Official Birthday is observed in Australia on the second Monday in June, marking a public holiday that celebrates the birthday of the monarch of the United Kingdom. This tradition began in Australia in 1788, initiated by Governor Arthur Phillip to honor King George III's 50th birthday. The celebration was standardized to the second Monday in June in 1936 to better distribute public holidays throughout the year. On this day, government offices, educational institutions, and most businesses are closed, with various festive events taking place, including the King’s Birthday match in the Australian Football League, held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Although fireworks were traditionally part of the celebration, their sale has been largely banned since the 1980s in most states. Notably, Western Australia and Queensland do not celebrate this holiday on the same date as the rest of the country; Western Australia observes it later in the year, while Queensland celebrates it on the first Monday of October. The holiday also typically coincides with the start of the ski season in the Southern Hemisphere and includes the release of the annual King’s Birthday Honours List.