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Solomon Islands: History

  • Germany cedes the Northern Solomon islands to the United Kingdom, which had declared a protectorate over the southern Solomon Islands in 1893.

  • The islands are occupied by Japan during World War II. The Japanese are forced out by the Allies in 1945, restoring British rule.

  • The Solomon Islands become fully self-governing.

  • The Solomon Islands achieve independence from Britain and join the British Commonwealth.

  • After a strong seaquake causes a tsunami to hit the northwest Solomon Islands, thousands were left homeless.

  • The Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) ends.

  • SOGAVARE was reelected prime minister for a fourth time following elections in 2019 and that same year announced Solomon Islands would switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China.

Sources:

BBC News open_in_new
Britannica open_in_new