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​Highly Significant and Culturally Important Dates

Highly Significant and Culturally Important Dates* that Celebrate or Recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Culture

26 January Invasion Day

Australia's national day, the 26th of January, is celebrated as Australia Day in recognition of the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. But for Indigenous Australians the day theFirst Fleet raised the Union Jack at Sydney Cove is known as Invasion Day.

13 February Anniversary of National Apology Day

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered the National Apology to Australia's Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples on 13 February 2008, for the injustices of past government policies, particularly to the Stolen Generations.

26 May National Sorry Day

National Sorry Day provides an opportunity for people to come together and share the journey towards healing for the Stolen Generations, their families and communities.

27May Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum

The 1967 Referendum was a landmark achievement following decades of activism by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people, where more than 90 percent of Australians voted in favour of amending two sections of the Australian Constitution.

27 May - 3 June National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week celebrations commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey-the anniversaries of the successful 1967 Referendum and the High Court Mabo Decision.

4 July - 11 July NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia to celebrate history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

4 August National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about the crucial impact that community, culture and family play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child.

9 August International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

On this day, people from around the world are encouraged to spread the United Nation's message on the protection and promotion of the rights of Indigenous peoples.

1 September Indigenous Literacy Day

Indigenous Literacy Day is a national celebration of culture, stories, language and literacy. This day raises awareness of the disadvantages experienced in remote communities and advocates for more access to literacy resources.

13 September Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly on 13 September 2007.

20 November Anniversary of Tasmanian Aboriginal Lands Act 1995

With the adoption of the Aboriginal Lands Act of 1995, the Tasmanian government began returning control of significant places (including most of Cape Barren Island in 2005) to the Tasmanian Aboriginal community.

*Note - there are many highly significant dates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories not included in the above list; these are the days that are most highlighted in the life of ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ»ÆƬ.