Today is a major holiday in Australia that is stirring controversy. While some celebrate others worry it honors a painful legacy. January 26th is 'Australia Day' which marks the arrival in 1788 of the first ships to Sydney Cove, carrying mainly convicts and troops from Britain. Many consider it the birth of their nation. Others say it was the beginning of the end for the indigenous population. For this reason, the government decided to hold citizenship ceremonies on this day. But as Greg Navarro reports from Sydney, it sparked a lot of controversy.

GREG NAVARRO SYDNEY "Australia Day celebrations are common across the country at this time of the year, including here in Sydney."

But again the issue of the date - January 26th- is at the center of a continuing controversy. While it marks the arrival of the first fleet and ultimately the discovery and colonization of Australia for some, others contend it was the day Australia was invaded, and that celebrating this particular day is offensive to the country's Indigenous population. They argue that their lineage here dates back roughly 50,000 years and the date marks the start of the loss of their cultural heritage.

"I'm very comfortable with it being celebrated on the 26th of January. We celebrated it for some time now and it is the day that brings all Australians together."

"Even if you put that date on the 26th you are not going to satisfy everyone, it is the way human nature is - you can't satisfy everyone but I think what should be important is the logic, the fundamentals and what is pushing us to say we are setting this day aside."

"It doesn't bother me, I understand the Aboriginals position and I can understand their resentment towards it."

GREG NAVARRO SYDNEY "The federal government has gotten involved in all of this. Prime Minister Scott Morrison not only supports celebrating the holiday on January 26th, he believes that all local councils must hold citizenship ceremonies for new citizens on that date."

Greg Navarro, CGTN, Sydney.