Every year the push to move Australia Day grows, with thousands joining annual protests calling on the Federal Government to "change the date".

The Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Labor Leader Bill Shorten so far aren't budging, all but guaranteeing the Australia Day debate will continue.

So have other countries who also have controversial national days resolved similar fights?

Today on The Signal, we focus on two national days overseas: Columbus Day, celebrated across the Americas each October; and Waitangi Day, marked in New Zealand in February.

We ask how those days are like Australia Day, and how they're different.

And we also ask whether there are lessons Australia could learn.

Featured:

James Valentine, Host, ABC Radio Sydney Afternoons

William Connell, La Motta Chair, Department of History, Seton Hall University

Michael Belgrave, Professor of History, Massey University

Randall Curren, Professor of Philosophy, Rochester University