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Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks was launched into fame when she refused to stand up for a white man on a bus. She refused the bus drivers demand to stand for a white man in the coloured section of the bus after the white section had filled up. This was a significant as she sparked much debate within the community eventually helping to create change. -
The Day of Mourning Protest: Part 1
On the 150th anniversary of Australia Day the Day of Mourning Protest was held at the Australian Hall in Sydney. The aim of the protest was to make new laws for the education and care of aborigines, and ask for a new policy to give aboriginal people citizenship status and equality within the community. This protest was one of the first Indigenous Australian Civil rights protests that gained media attention throughout the nation. -
The Day of Mourning Protest: Part 2
This helped gain recognition for the Indigenous Australians fight for equality, helping to contribute to the eventual referendum in 1967. -
Petition From Aboriginal Council of Advancement
In the lead up to the referendum groups such as the Federal Council for Aboriginal Advancement were gaining support around Australia and to get the ball rolling petitions were sent with tens of thousands of people’s signatures to parliament. This was to make amendments to the constitution. This was an important step towards the referendum as it was forcing the parliament to take action. -
Commonwealth Electoral act 1962
The Commonwealth electoral act of 1962
The Commonwealth electoral act of 1962 was what the aborigines wished to achieve by amending the constitution. It made it legal for them to vote and changed the way the constitution referred to them. -
Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream speech”: Part 1
The "I have a dream speech" was delivered by Martin Luther King Jr. on the steps of Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The main message of the speech was for freedom and equality in America, for all people, no matter their race or religion. -
Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream speech”: Part 2
Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech quickly became internationally recognised, sparking a want for change in many places around the world. In America the speech had a huge impact, with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 being signed the very next year. -
Most Significant Influence on the Australian Movement Towards the 1967 Referendum: Part 1
Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream speech” was the global civil rights event that had the most significant influence on the Australian movement towards the 1967 referendum. The speech received a great deal of media coverage in Australia and due to the convincing nature of the speech and way it could be related to the Australian context, it inspired many Indigenous and civil rights activists in Australia to take action. -
Most Significant Influence on the Australian Movement Towards the 1967 Referendum: Part 2
This speech was so relatable in Australia because the racial inequality between African and white Americans at the time was very similar to the racial inequality between Indigenous and white Australians. The way Martin Luther King was able to inspire people to seek action against racial inequality through this speech heavily influenced the Australian movement towards the 1967 referendum. -
The Civil Rights Act: Part 1
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a piece of civil rights legislation in the United States that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This act forbid segregation in public places, banned employment discrimination on the basis of race and stopped any use of federal funds for discriminatory purposes. -
The Civil Rights Act: Part 2
Although the Civil Rights act didn't stop racism altogether in America, it stopped legal segregation and lead to other pieces of legislation stopping discrimination such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Housing Act of 1968. The Civil Rights Act was also an example for other countries of the time to follow to stop discrimination and segregation. -
The Beginning of the Freedom Ride
The Freedom Ride was a protest against racial segregation set up by the Student Action for Aborigines Organisation. The ride took students on a trip to western New South Wales towns so students could see for themselves how bad the conditions of life were for the Aboriginal people. The organisation made sure their protests were covered by the media, which spread awareness about the treatment of Aboriginal people both nationally and internationally (reported in New York Times). -
The End of the Freedom Ride
This awareness about the living conditions for Indigenous Australians caused extensive debate throughout the country, strengthening the movement towards the 1967 referendum which occurred just two years later. -
Martin Luther King Assassinated
Martin Luther King was assassinated by James Earl Ray on April 4 1968 sparking nationwide protests and violence. The president held a day of morning for King and many mourners came to pay their respects. This is a significant event as it really raised the awareness and showed the severity of the matter.
