History of Steve Irwin in Timeline
Steve Irwin, or "The Crocodile Hunter," was an Australian wildlife enthusiast who gained global fame for his adventurous approach to conservation. As a zookeeper, television personality, and educator, he captivated audiences with his infectious enthusiasm and daring encounters with crocodiles and other dangerous animals. Irwin's unwavering passion for wildlife ignited a widespread interest in conservation and solidified his legacy as a beloved environmental icon.
1942: Birth of Steve Irwin's Mother
Lynette "Lyn" Hakainsson, Steve Irwin's mother, was born in 1942.
February 1962: Birth of Steve Irwin
Steve Irwin was born in February 1962 in Upper Ferntree Gully, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia.
1970: Irwin Family Moves to Queensland
In 1970, the Irwin family relocated to Queensland, Australia, which would later become the backdrop for Steve's incredible wildlife adventures.
1991: Irwin Meets Terri Raines
In 1991, Steve Irwin met Terri Raines, an American naturalist visiting Australia.
1991: Steve Irwin Takes Over Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park
In 1991, Steve Irwin took the reins of his family's park, Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park, marking a pivotal step in his journey to becoming "The Crocodile Hunter."
June 1992: Irwin Marries Terri Raines
Steve Irwin and Terri Raines were married in June of 1992.
1996: The Crocodile Hunter Premieres
1996 marked the debut of "The Crocodile Hunter," launching Steve Irwin into international stardom and captivating audiences with his daring wildlife encounters.
1997: Discovery of Irwin's Turtle
In 1997, Steve Irwin discovered a new species of turtle which was later named Irwin's turtle (Elseya irwini) in his honor.
July 1998: Birth of Bindi Sue Irwin
In July of 1998, Steve and Terri's first child, a daughter named Bindi Sue Irwin, was born.
1998: Queensland Reptile and Fauna Park renamed to Australia Zoo
In 1998, Steve Irwin renamed the family park to Australia Zoo, solidifying its image as a prominent wildlife conservation institution.
1998: Irwin Presents "The Ten Deadliest Snakes in the World"
Steve Irwin teamed up with director Mark Strickson in 1998 to present "The Ten Deadliest Snakes in the World," further establishing himself as a leading voice in wildlife education.
1999: Irwin Celebrates Wallabies' World Cup Victory
In a heartwarming behind-the-scenes moment from "The Crocodile Hunter," Steve Irwin and his crew were captured celebrating the Wallabies' victory in the 1999 Rugby World Cup Final, showcasing his love for his home country.
February 2000: Death of Irwin's Mother
In February 2000, Steve Irwin's mother, Lyn, was tragically killed in a car accident.
2000: Death of Steve Irwin's Mother
Tragically, Steve Irwin's mother, Lyn, passed away in 2000 due to a car accident.
2000: Establishment of the Lyn Irwin Memorial Fund
Following the tragic loss of his mother in 2000, Steve Irwin established the Lyn Irwin Memorial Fund, a testament to her dedication to wildlife rehabilitation.
2000: Croc Week Marathon Begins
Animal Planet launched "Croc Week" in 2000, a week-long marathon celebrating Steve Irwin's work and educating audiences about crocodiles.
2000: Irwin Featured in FedEx Commercial
In 2000, Steve Irwin appeared in a humorous FedEx commercial, playing on the risks associated with his work and the company's reliability.
2001: Awarded Centenary Medal
Irwin was awarded the Centenary Medal by the Australian government in 2001 for his service to global conservation and Australian tourism.
2001: Irwin Cameos in "Dr. Dolittle 2"
Steve Irwin made a memorable cameo appearance in the film "Dr. Dolittle 2" in 2001, showcasing his larger-than-life persona on the big screen.
2002: Release of "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course"
2002 saw the release of "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course," a family-friendly action comedy starring Steve Irwin as himself, combining his passion for wildlife with entertainment.
2002: Australia Zoo Voted Top Tourist Attraction
In 2002, the Australia Zoo, owned by Steve Irwin and his family, was voted Queensland's top tourist attraction.
2002: Irwin Family Appears in Wiggles Video
The Irwin family joined forces with The Wiggles in 2002 for their "Wiggly Safari" video and DVD, blending education and entertainment for young audiences.
November 2003: Irwin Aids in Search for Missing Divers
In November 2003, while filming a documentary in Mexico, Irwin and his crew suspended their work to help search for two missing scuba divers. Irwin and his team aided in the search, which unfortunately resulted in the recovery of one diver and the tragic death of the other.
December 2003: Birth of Robert Clarence Irwin
In December of 2003, Steve and Terri's second child, a son named Robert Clarence Irwin, was born.
2003: Irwin's Political Support
Although Irwin was generally apolitical, in 2003 he publicly supported Liberal Prime Minister John Howard during his visit to Australia Zoo.
2003: Political Stance and Public Scrutiny
During 2003, Irwin faced scrutiny for his political stance and a government payment he received for appearing in a tourism advertisement. He publicly stated he was a conservationist and didn't align with specific political parties. Despite this, his praise for then-Prime Minister John Howard drew negative attention from the media.
2003: Irwin Fronts Campaign for The Ghan
Steve Irwin became the face of The Ghan passenger train in 2003, promoting travel across Australia and highlighting the country's scenic beauty.
January 2004: Crocodile Feeding Incident and Public Backlash
In January 2004, Irwin sparked controversy when he held his one-month-old son, Robert, while feeding a crocodile. The incident drew criticism from child welfare groups, animal rights activists, and viewers who considered it irresponsible and potentially dangerous. Irwin maintained that he was in control and experienced with crocodiles, but the incident led to changes in Queensland's crocodile-handling laws.
June 2004: Allegations of Wildlife Disturbance in Antarctica
In June 2004, Irwin faced allegations of disturbing wildlife while filming an episode of "The Crocodile Hunter" in Antarctica. The allegations centered on potential disruption of whales, seals, and penguins. However, the case was ultimately closed without any charges being filed against Irwin.
2004: Irwin Becomes Ambassador for The Ghan
Steve Irwin's adventurous spirit led him to become an ambassador for The Ghan, Australia's iconic passenger train, in 2004, further cementing his connection to his homeland.
2004: Tourism Export of the Year and Queensland Australian of the Year
In 2004, Irwin was recognized as Tourism Export of the Year and was named the 2004 Queensland Australian of the Year.
January 2006: Steve Irwin Announces Daughter's Show
In January 2006, Steve Irwin shared his plans for a wildlife show starring his daughter, Bindi Sue Irwin, a project that came to fruition after his passing.
January 2006: Australia Week Celebrations
In January 2006, as a part of the United States' 'Australia Week' celebrations, Irwin appeared at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California.
September 2006: Funeral and Memorial for Steve Irwin
Following his death in September 2006, a private funeral was held for Steve Irwin on September 9th, 2006, followed by a public memorial service on September 30th, 2006 at Australia Zoo.
September 2006: Death of Steve Irwin
Steve Irwin tragically passed away in September 2006 from a stingray injury while filming a documentary in the Great Barrier Reef.
September 2006: Death of Steve Irwin
Tragically, Steve Irwin died on September 4th, 2006 after being pierced in the chest by a stingray barb while filming a documentary on the Great Barrier Reef.
October 2006: Terri Irwin Accepts Award for David Attenborough
At the British National Television Awards in October 2006, Terri Irwin accepted a Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Sir David Attenborough, highlighting his profound influence on Steve Irwin's conservation work.
November 2006: Release of "Happy Feet"
The animated film "Happy Feet", in which Irwin voiced an elephant seal, was released in November 2006. The film was dedicated to Irwin, as he passed away during post-production.
2006: ESPN Pays Tribute to Irwin
ESPN paid a touching tribute to Steve Irwin following his passing in 2006, acknowledging his love for Australian Rules football and his global impact.
2006: International Mourning and Legacy of Steve Irwin
The world mourned the loss of Steve Irwin in 2006. His legacy was cemented through numerous tributes, including parks, zoos, and even a snail species named after him.
May 2007: Baby Gorilla Named After Irwin
In May of 2007, the government of Rwanda announced they would name a baby gorilla after Irwin as a tribute to his work in wildlife conservation.
November 2007: Posthumously Awarded Adjunct Professorship and Inducted into Logie Hall of Fame
In November 2007, Irwin was posthumously awarded an adjunct professorship at the University of Queensland and inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame.
2007: Tribute Documentary and Series Featuring Irwin
A tribute episode of "The Crocodile Hunter" was released in 2007, and his daughter Bindi released a documentary "My Daddy, the Crocodile Hunter" in his memory. Archive footage of Irwin has been used in several television series.
2007: Sea Shepherd Vessel Renamed in Irwin's Honor
In 2007, the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society renamed their vessel MY Steve Irwin in honor of Irwin's commitment to conservation and his planned involvement in their anti-whaling voyage.
2007: Final Croc Week Marathon
2007 marked the last "Croc Week" marathon, concluding the annual celebration of Steve Irwin's legacy and contributions to wildlife conservation.
2008: MY Steve Irwin Sets Sail
The MY Steve Irwin, a vessel owned by the environmental action group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, set sail in 2008 to disrupt Japanese whaling activity.
2009: Species of Snail Named After Irwin
In 2009, a newly discovered species of air-breathing land snail was named Crikey steveirwini, after Steve Irwin.
2009: Kerala Government Stops Using Irwin's Name and Image
In 2009, at the request of Terri Irwin, the Kerala government in India stopped using Irwin's name and images for the Crocodile Rehabilitation and Research Centre at Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
2009: Irwin Inducted into Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame
Irwin was posthumously inducted into the Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2009 for his contributions to business and wildlife conservation.
2015: Posthumous Recipient of Queensland Greats Awards
In 2015, Irwin was posthumously awarded the Queensland Greats Awards.
2017: Announcement of Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2017, it was announced that Irwin would be posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
April 2018: Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame Unveiled
Irwin's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled on April 26, 2018.
2018: "Crikey! It's the Irwins" Series Premieres
The television series "Crikey! It's the Irwins", which features archive footage of Steve Irwin, premiered in 2018.
February 2019: Google Doodle Commemorating Irwin
On February 22, 2019, the 57th anniversary of Irwin's birth, Google released a Google Doodle commemorating him.
2020: Steve Irwin's Legacy in Tourism
In 2020, Steve Irwin's impact on Australian tourism continued to be felt. His image was used to promote tourism in Queensland, with Australia Zoo, which he was heavily involved with, recognized as a top tourist destination. Additionally, his son, Robert, became a spokesperson for Queensland's tourism board.
2022: Grassroots Movement for Irwin on Australian Currency
Following Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022, a portion of the Australian public voiced a desire to see Steve Irwin featured on the nation's currency instead of King Charles III. Two petitions were even created to garner support for this initiative. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese chose not to engage with the topic, stating that it was not an appropriate time to discuss the matter.