Just watched a TV show of which this was the premise, and I disagree with a lot of their choices. They said:
20-Melbourne Cup (especially 2005)
19-Cliff Young's shuffle
18-Introduction of the Cleo centerfold
17- Mary's wedding
16-First TV signal
15- Jimmy Carruther's world title
14-Extention of Drinking Hours from 6pm to 10pm
13- Kay Cottee (sp?)'s world sailing trip (first solo woman)
12-1915, Duke's visit and the start of the surf culture
11-1932 Sydney Bridge Opening
10-Bicentennial Celebrations 1988
9- Sydney olympic announcement and the games themselves
8-Beetlemania
7-Steve Waugh's Miracle Century (Jan 2003)
6-America's Cup victory, despite the americans always changing the rules; ending the longest winning streak in sporting history.
5- Man on the Moon (and the Aussie involvement, which was minor but treasured)
4-End of WW2, Dancing Man
3-Whitlam Dismissal and his speech-"Well may we say, 'God Save the Queen'. Beckoz nothing will save the Governor General."
2-1997 Thredbo landslide-Stuart Diver
1-Gallipoli and the formation of Australia's national identity.
They also included a late inclusion of last night's soccer win.
But I disagree with that list. It's sh**t. Here is mine.
20-Thredbo disaster
19-Harold Holt's dissapearance
18-First TV signal
17-Melbourne Olympics
16-Bradman's last test, in which he got a duck-all he needed to do was score 1 run and he'd've had an average of 100.
15-Port Arthur Massacre
14-The Royal Weddings-Charles and Diana, and especially Mary and Frederick
13-The Melbourne Cup in general, especially 2005
12-Federation
11-Bicentennial Celebrations
10-Sydney Harbour Bridge opening
9-Beetlemania
8-Cyclone Tracy
7-America's Cup Victory
6-End of WW2 and the Dancing Man
5-Whitlam Dismissal
4-Man on the Moon
3-September 11 terrorist attacks (i'll call this one 'terrorism', and add Bali)
2-Gallipoli landing
1-Sydney Olympics, especially Cathy Freeman's run and the Opening Ceremony
So, what were the moments that stopped America? I hope number 7 of my list is included