Bounty Day in Norfolk Island Date in the current year: June 8, 2024

HMS Bounty sailed in the Pacific Ocean to acquire breadfruit plants and transport them back to Britain's Caribbean colonies, but this mission was never completed. A mutiny broke out on April 28, 1789 and the ship was taken bloodlessly. Sailors loyal to Fletcher Christian, the leader of the mutiny, sailed to Pitcairn Island and settled there. They burned Bounty in order to prevent possible escape from the island.

Pitcairn Island became a British colony in 1838 and Norfolk Island was granted to Pitcairners in 1856. The first islanders arrived at Norfolk Island on June 8, 1856 to set a colony there. Prior to that time Norfolk Island used to be a penal territory; it was granted to the Pitcainers as a home by Queen Victoria, and they created a local government there.

The celebration of Bounty Day starts off with a re-enactment of the landing of the islanders down at the Kingston Pier. Then they are greeted by the administrator of the island and his wife, march to the cenotaph to lay wreathes in remembrance and to the cemetery. Next they proceed to Government House where one of the families is awarded the title of Family of the Year. Then everyone returns home to prepare for Bounty Ball.