Timeline of Papua New Guinea

Chronology

11 events spanning the history of Papua New Guinea. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1546

   Spanish explorer Inigo Ortiz de Retes names the other main island New Guinea .

   Spanish explorer Inigo Ortiz de Retes names the other main island New Guinea because the islanders resemble the people of Guinea in Africa.

2. 1873

   Port Moresby

   Port Moresby is named after one of several English explorers to lay claim to the island for Great Britain.

3. 1906

   Control of British New Guinea transferred.

   Control of British New Guinea transferred to the newly independent Commonwealth of Australia and renamed Territory of Papua.

4. 1914

   Australian forces occupy German New Guinea during World War I.

   Australian forces occupy German New Guinea during World War I.

5. 1921

   After the war the League of Nations grants Australia a mandate to run German New Guinea.

   After the war the League of Nations grants Australia a mandate to run German New Guinea. This new Mandated Territory of New Guinea is governed totally separately from the Territory of Papua.

6. 1971

   Renamed Papua New Guinea.

   Renamed Papua New Guinea.

7. 1975

   Attains full independence from Australia. Sir Michael Somare becomes PM.

   Attains full independence from Australia. Sir Michael Somare becomes PM.

8. 1997

   The government declares a national state of disaster.

   The government declares a national state of disaster following a prolonged drought thought to have been caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon. Over 1,000 people are killed and a further 1.2 million are put at risk of starvation.

9. 2004

   Australia deploys police to help fight rampant crime.

   Australia deploys police to help fight rampant crime.

10. 2007

    Parliament passes a law to allow casinos and online gambling.

    Parliament passes a law to allow casinos and online gambling. It is hoped that the activity could boost the economy.