Historical Events tagged with "aboriginal"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Social Movements & Civil Rights

Recognition of Aboriginal Land Rights in Australia

June 3rd, 1992 32 years ago

The High Court of Australia ruled in favor of Eddie Mabo, acknowledging the land rights of Aboriginal peoples and overturning the doctrine of terra nullius. This landmark case was initiated by Torres Strait Islander Eddie Mabo against the Queensland government, challenging the legal fiction that Australia was land belonging to no one before British colonization. The ruling led to widespread discussions on Indigenous land rights and the implications for land ownership law across the nation.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

First Flying of the Aboriginal Flag

July 12th, 1971 53 years ago

On December 7, 1971, at the South Australian Parliament House, the Australian Aboriginal flag was flown for the first time. Designed by Harold Thomas, an Aboriginal artist, the flag is a powerful symbol of the Aboriginal people and their struggle for rights. Its colors represent the land, people, and the spiritual connection of Aboriginal people to their heritage. This significant act was part of broader efforts to recognize and celebrate Aboriginal identity and culture in Australia.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Initiation of Three-Year Indigenous Strike

May 1st, 1946 78 years ago

A significant strike by Indigenous Australians began in the Pilbara region, led by Aboriginal workers protesting against poor wages and conditions in the pastoral industry. The movement was initiated by the Aboriginal workers from various stations who sought better pay and rights, responding to economic disparities and unfair treatment. Their collective action was pivotal in raising awareness of Indigenous rights and labor issues in Australia.

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Politics & Government

Control of Indigenous People's Lives Codified

November 11th, 1869 155 years ago

The Victorian Aboriginal Protection Act was enacted, giving the government extensive control over the lives of Aboriginal people in Victoria, Australia. This legislation dictated their wages, employment conditions, living arrangements, and the guardianship of their children. The Act aimed to regulate and assimilate Aboriginal people into European society, but it led to significant disruption of their traditional lifestyles and family structures, paving the way for the Stolen Generations. The Act represented a turning point in the relationship between the Victorian government and Indigenous Australians, marking the beginning of coercive policies of assimilation.

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Crime & Law

Massacre of Aboriginal Australians at Myall Creek

June 10th, 1838 186 years ago

The Myall Creek massacre involved the brutal murder of twenty-eight Aboriginal Australians by European settlers in New South Wales. This horrific event took place in retaliation against perceived crimes committed by the Indigenous people. The massacre was carried out by a group of stockmen and was later condemned during the trials that followed, leading to significant legal and social repercussions.

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