During the entire 19th century, the Australian states were separate British colonies. However, with the various economic activities and the numerous growing educational systems, there arose among the Australian colonists a nascent desire to join the colonies. In 1885, a federal council was established to do just that. The desire for union had been planted, and on January 1, 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia was proclaimed. The new parliament had its first meeting on May 9, 1901.