may 1, 1982 - The Mabo Case is lodged with the High Court of Australia

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1. Before the Mabo Case, all land that had been owned by Aboriginal Australians had been regarded as terra nullius (land belonging to no-one), and therefore could be owned by the 'new' Australians.

2. The land rights of the Meriam people of the Torres Strait were finally recognised, as a result of the Mabo Case.

3. It caused the Native Title Act to be passed, allowing Aboriginal Australians to claim back their land.

4. Eddie Mabo was a Torres Strait Islander who disagreed with the Australian laws regarding land ownership, and resolved to fight it.

5. Eddie Mabo unfortunately passed away before his hard work came to fruition, and never knew whether he had accomplished his mission. He died 5 months before the High Court came to their decision.

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