From humble beginnings back in June 24, 1978, what was once a small scale protest and statement of pride and self-expression is now a major mainstream national icon that is internationally respected as a celebration of diversity and inclusion.

As revelers gear up for Saturday's 2016 Mardi Gras parade in Sydney we take a look at the event that started in confrontation back in 1978. 

The first march took place on Saturday, June 24 1978 at 10pm. The march was met with unexpected police violence after 53 men and women were violently arrested by police. 

Up to 3,000 people marched in an incident-free parade in 1979 after the NSW government repealed the NSW Summary Offences Act legislation that had allowed the arrests to be made and created a new Public Assemblies Act which meant that Sydneysiders no longer had to apply for a permit to have a demonstration. They just had to notify police. 

In 1980 a key new element was introduced – the post-parade party. In 1981 the decision was taken to move the event forward to summer to enjoy better weather.

The estimates for the parade audiences show it doubling every year till it reached 50,000 in 1984. 

The event began to enjoy extensive media coverage from the mid-80s onwards and the crowds continued to swell, from 200,000 in 1989 to over 500,000 in 1993.

Large numbers of interstate and international travellers had started flying in for the event as well, generating an estimated $38 million for the NSW economy.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras remains the one truly global gay annual event and a uniquely attractive escape from the Northern Hemisphere winter.

- source: mardigras.org.au.