Recognition
U.S. Recognition of Australian Independence, 1940.
The United States recognized Australia on January 8, 1940, when the Governments of the United States and Australia announced the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.
Diplomatic Relations
Establishment of Diplomatic Relations, 1940.
On January 8, 1940, the Governments of the United States and Australia announced the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.
Establishment of the Australian Legation in the United States, 1940.
On March 1, 1940, Richard Gardiner Casey presented his credentials as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Government of the United States.
Establishment of the American Legation in Australia, 1940.
On July 17, 1940, Clarence E. Gauss presented his credentials as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Government of Australia.
Elevation of Legations to Embassy Status, 1946.
On July 9, 1946, the White House announced the elevation of the Australian and American legations to embassy stratus. On September 11, 1946, Norman J. O. Makin presented his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia to the Government of the United States. On September 25, 1946, Robert Butler presented his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to the Government of Australia.
ANZUS Treaty, 1951.
The ANZUS security treaty, concluded in 1951, serves as the foundation of defense and security cooperation between the countries. The Treaty, which enjoys broad bipartisan support in Australia as its pre-eminent formal security treaty alliance, was invoked for the first time—by Australia—in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The two countries signed the U.S.-Australia Force Posture Agreement at the annual Australia-United States Ministerial consultations (AUSMIN) in August 2014, paving the way for even closer defense and security cooperation, and are now working together to advance force posture initiatives under the Agreement. In October 2016 our defense agencies signed a Joint Statement on Defense Cooperation to serve as a guide for future cooperation.
75th Anniversary of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations
The year 2015 marked the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Australia.