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Timeline · 13 entries

State apologies: timeline

This timeline lists formal apologies made on behalf of a state, a government or a parliament. Each entry comes from an official record: a statute, a parliamentary journal or debate, or a government statement. The US Civil Liberties Act of 1988 apologised on behalf of the Nation 1. Australia's Prime Minister moved an apology motion on 13 February 2008 6. New Zealand's Prime Minister apologised in Parliament on 12 November 2024 14. Every entry is a historical event.

Last checked 6 November 2026

  1. Historical

    United States: Civil Liberties Act of 1988

    Public Law 100-383 says the Congress apologizes on behalf of the Nation for the evacuation, relocation and internment of persons of Japanese ancestry. It provides US$20,000 for each eligible person, subject to appropriated funds. Recorded in the US Statutes at Large 1.

  2. Historical

    United States: apology to Native Hawaiians

    Public Law 103-150 apologises on behalf of the people of the United States for the 17 January 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Section 3 says it is not intended to settle any claims against the United States 2.

  3. Historical

    Japan: statement on the 50th anniversary of the war's end

    The Prime Minister of Japan issued a statement that expresses a heartfelt apology. Published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 3.

  4. Historical

    United States Senate: apology for failure to enact anti-lynching laws

    S.Res.39 of the 109th Congress passed the Senate without amendment. It apologises to victims and survivors of lynching for the Senate's failure to enact anti-lynching legislation. Recorded on Congress.gov 4.

  5. Historical

    Australia: Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples

    The Prime Minister moved the apology motion in the House of Representatives. It was seconded by the Leader of the Opposition. Recorded in Votes and Proceedings No. 2 6. The Parliamentary Education Office says the vote was unanimous 5.

  6. Historical

    Canada: apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools

    The Prime Minister apologised on behalf of the Government of Canada in Ottawa. The statement is published by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada 7.

  7. Historical

    United Kingdom: statement on the Saville Inquiry

    In a statement to the House after the Bloody Sunday inquiry report, the Prime Minister said he was deeply sorry on behalf of the Government and the country. Published on GOV.UK 8.

  8. Historical

    Ireland: Magdalen Laundries statement in the Dáil

    The Taoiseach apologised unreservedly to the women for the hurt done to them. Recorded in the Dáil debate Magdalen Laundries Report, Statements, Vol. 793 No. 1 9.

  9. Historical

    Australia: Apology for Forced Adoptions

    The Prime Minister delivered the apology at an event in the Great Hall. Motions of apology were then moved in both houses. The document is held by the National Archives of Australia 10.

  10. Historical

    Canada: apology to LGBTQ2 Canadians

    The Prime Minister apologised in the House of Commons for state-sponsored, systemic oppression and rejection. Published by the Prime Minister's Office 11.

  11. Historical

    Netherlands: apology for the role of the state in slavery

    The Prime Minister apologised for the past actions of the Dutch State at the National Archives in The Hague. The government announced a €200 million fund 12.

  12. Historical

    United Kingdom: Infected Blood Inquiry statement

    The Prime Minister gave a wholehearted and unequivocal apology in the House of Commons. GOV.UK publishes the transcript exactly as delivered 13.

  13. Historical

    New Zealand: apology to survivors of abuse in care

    The Prime Minister apologised on behalf of the Crown in Parliament. The Royal Commission's final report had been presented to Parliament on 24 July 2024 14.

Notes

  • Two official sources describe the 13 February 2008 Australian apology differently. The Parliamentary Education Office says the vote was unanimous 5. The House Votes and Proceedings for that day record the motion moved and seconded and debate adjourned, with no division on the motion 6.
  • This list is a selection of apologies with an official record that was read for this page. It is not complete.

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Sources

  1. GovInfo: Public Law 100-383, Civil Liberties Act of 1988 (10 August 1988)
  2. GovInfo: Public Law 103-150, joint resolution on the 100th anniversary of the January 17, 1893 overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii (23 November 1993)
  3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: Statement by Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama, On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the war's end (15 August 1995)
  4. Congress.gov: S.Res.39, 109th Congress (2005-2006)
  5. Parliamentary Education Office: Apology to the Stolen Generations
  6. Parliament of Australia: House of Representatives Votes and Proceedings No. 2 (13 February 2008)
  7. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada: Statement of apology to former students of Indian Residential Schools (11 June 2008)
  8. GOV.UK: PM, Statement on Saville Inquiry (15 June 2010)
  9. Houses of the Oireachtas: Magdalen Laundries Report, Statements, Dáil Éireann debate (19 February 2013)
  10. Parliament of Australia: Apology for Forced Adoptions
  11. Prime Minister of Canada: Remarks by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to apologize to LGBTQ2 Canadians (28 November 2017)
  12. Government of the Netherlands: Government apologises for the Netherlands' role in the history of slavery (19 December 2022)
  13. GOV.UK: PM statement on the Infected Blood Inquiry, 20 May 2024
  14. New Zealand Ministry of Justice: Crown response to the Abuse in Care Inquiry