Important dates

The following are important dates in our history and are often marked by commemorative events.

January

1	1993	1993- Native Title Act proclaimed
26	1788	Invasion Day (Australia Day)
26	1972	Tent Embassy established in front of Parliament House, Canberra

February

5	1972	Tent Embassy Petition to Parliament
8	1972	Woodward Land Rights Inquiry established
12	1965	The Freedom Ride bus leaves Sydney for country NSW
13	2008	National Apology Day: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised to the Stolen Generations in 2008

March

17		National Close the Gap Day – first organised in 2006 this is the day when organisations come together to improve the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Close the Gap day is an opportunity for organisations and community to hold events and raise awareness of the Aboriginal health crisis.
21		Harmony Day
23	2005	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) abolished

April

1	1897	Resistance leader Jandamarra killed in WA
5	1997	“Bringing Them Home” Stolen Generations Report
15	1991	Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Royal Commission Final Report submitted

May

1	1946	Pilbara Aboriginal Stockmen’s strike, WA
3	1990	Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) established
8	1997	Wik ‘10-Point-Plan’ announced
26	1998	National Sorry Day – this day marks the anniversary of when the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in parliament, and commemorates the Stolen Generations
27	1967	The anniversary of the 1967 Referendum recognises the 97% ‘yes’ vote in the Referendum of 1967. It changed the constitution to allow Aboriginal people to be counted in the census and to enable the Commonwealth government to make laws for Aboriginal people. 27 May marks the start of National Reconciliation Week.
27	1997	National Reconciliation Convention
28	2000	250,000 people walk for reconciliation in Sydney
29	1992	Torres Strait Islander flag launched
30	1980	Tiwi receive title to Tiwi Islands

June

3	1992	Mabo Day celebrates the 1992 High Court decision that ruled in favour of Eddie Koiki Mabo and other claimants that their people had occupied the island of Mer in the Torres Strait prior to the arrival of the British. This historic decision effectively recognised the existence of Native Title rights and rejected the concept of ‘Terra Nullius’, which claimed Australia was a land belonging to no-one prior to British occupation. 3 June marks the end of National Reconciliation Week.
4	2000	50,000 people walk for reconciliation in Brisbane
10	1838	Myall Creek Massacre, NSW, and Myall Creek Massacre Memorial Ceremony
11	1988	Barunga Statement presented to Prime Minister Hawke

July

1	1871	Missionaries of the London Missionary Society arrive in the Torres Strait at Erub Island, introducing Christianity to the region. The Coming of the Light festival marks this important day for Torres Strait Islanders, who are mainly of Christian faith. They celebrate the day with cultural and religious activities.
2	1971	Evonne Goolangong Cawley wins Wimbledon
~5		NAIDOC Week is in the first week of July and celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal people. NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islander Observance Committee’, which was responsible for organising national activities for NAIDOC Week. The acronym has now become the name for the week itself.
8	1998	Discriminatory Native Title amendments passed
12	1971	Aboriginal Flag first flown
23	2000	25,000 walk for reconciliation in Hobart

August

4	1988	National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
9		International Day of Indigenous Peoples. First declared by the United Nations in 1994, the day aims to strengthen international awareness and cooperation for solutions to the problems faced by aboriginal people in areas such as human rights, development, the environment, education and health.
14	1963	Bark Petition from Yirrkala to Parliament
16	1975	Return of land to Gurindji, NT
16-30	1928	Conniston Massacre, NT
18	1978	Tiwi Land Council established
24	1966	Gurindji walk-off, Wave Hill Station, NT

September

1	1998	Sea of Hands, Uluru
2	1991	Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation established
25	2000	Cathy Freeman won an olympic gold medal
28	1983	John Pat dies in police custody. Each year, Aboriginal people remember his and other cases on John Pat Day with memorial services or protest marches.

October

		NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout on the first weekend in October (varying venues).
12	1997	First Sea of Hands, Canberra
26	1985	Uluru returned to traditional owners
28	1834	Battle of Pinjarra, WA
30	1975	Racial Discrimination Act takes effect

November

1986

Pope John Paul II addresses Aboriginal people in Alice Springs

December

2	2000	350,000 walk for reconciliation in Melbourne and Perth
4	2000	Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Final Report
16	1976	Aboriginal Land Rights (NT) Act passed
23	1996	High Court Wik Native Title decision