This was the first time Australia's government has recognised a national day of observance for the Second World War bombing of Darwin.

The attack by Japan on February 19th, 1942 killed some 240 people.

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.

SOUNDBITE: Julia Gillard, Australian prime minister, saying (English):

"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."

The U.S. ambassador to Australia and U.S. Consul General were among the guests to lay a wreath.

Ninety one American sailors died when the USS Peary was sunk in Darwin harbour during the onslaught.

More bombs were dropped on Darwin in the Japanese air raids than on Pearl Harbour two weeks earlier.

There were more than 100 raids across the north of Australia which went on for the next two years.

Paul Chapman, Reuters