This was the first time Australia's government has recognised a national day of observance for the Second World War bombing of Darwin.<br/> <br />The attack by Japan on February 19th, 1942 killed some 240 people.<br/> <br />Prime Minister Julia Gillard was among those to attend the memorial of the event that brought the Second World War to Australia for the first time.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Julia Gillard, Australian prime minister, saying (English):<br/> <br />"In two waves, 242 Japanese planes appeared in the air over this small but strategic township. A young sailor, Harry Dale, said 'they all glistened silver in the sun, like they were painted with silver frost.' But those planes brought only destruction."<br/> <br />The U.S. ambassador to Australia and U.S. Consul General were among the guests to lay a wreath.<br/> <br />Ninety one American sailors died when the USS Peary was sunk in Darwin harbour during the onslaught.<br/> <br />More bombs were dropped on Darwin in the Japanese air raids than on Pearl Harbour two weeks earlier.<br/> <br />There were more than 100 raids across the north of Australia which went on for the next two years.<br/> <br />Paul Chapman, Reuters
