Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/09. Modern Nations/06. Oceania • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
History of Solomon Islands (AI-generated, sourced to Wikipedia).
Chronological Storyline (33 Milestones)
3000 BCE
First human settlement
Austronesian-speaking peoples arrive in the Solomon Islands archipelago, bringing agriculture, pottery, and seafaring technology to the previously uninhabited islands. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Map of the Solomon Islands as of 1989. Province names are included, except for two new provinces as of 1995: the Rennell and Bellona Province (formerly part of Central Province) and the Choiseul Province (formerly part of Western Province). By U.S. Central Intelligence Agency - Solomon Islands (Political) 1989 from Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection: Solomon Islands Maps. Cropped to remove white space from edges of map., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7654237
1000 BCE
Lapita culture flourishes
The distinctive Lapita pottery culture spreads across the Solomon Islands, linking the archipelago to a wider network of Oceanic migration and exchange. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
map of lapita area By Christophe cagé - travail personnel (own work). Based on Matthew Spriggs,Chapter 6. The Lapita Culture and Austronesian Prehistory in Oceania - Part 1. Origins and Dispersals - Map 1: Lapita sites and find spots in the southwest Pacific., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5543968
Feb 7, 1568 CE
Mendaña discovers islands
Spanish explorer Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira becomes the first European to visit the Solomon Islands, naming them after the biblical King Solomon in hopes of finding gold. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Alvaro de Mendaña de Neyra By Unknown author - http://www.rree.gob.pe/portal/archivos.nsf/ce380461d66f6d0205256d490080f2ae/54f7bb726c2b671e05257065005cfc78?OpenDocument, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34736265
May 1, 1595 CE
Mendaña's second voyage
Mendaña returns to the Solomons on his second Pacific expedition, establishing a short-lived settlement on Santa Cruz Island before his death there. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Alvaro de Mendaña de Neyra By Unknown author - http://www.rree.gob.pe/portal/archivos.nsf/ce380461d66f6d0205256d490080f2ae/54f7bb726c2b671e05257065005cfc78?OpenDocument, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34736265
May 1, 1768 CE
Bougainville visits islands
French navigator Louis-Antoine de Bougainville sails through the Solomon Islands, confirming their existence to European geographers and providing improved charts. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Bougainville visits islands By Joseph Ducreux - Château de Versailles, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19214027
1850 CE
Blackbirding begins
European and Australian recruiters begin the coercive labor trade known as blackbirding, removing Solomon Islanders to work on plantations in Queensland and Fiji. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Seizure of the blackbirding schooner Daphne and its cargo by the HMS Rosario in 1869. See 1868: At 9 pounds a person; Thomas Pritchard, Ross Lewin’s trade – was it slavery, recruiting or indentured labour?, and SLAVING IN AUSTRALIAN COURTS: BLACKBIRDING CASES, 1869-1871, Journal of South Pacific Law, Volume 4 (2000). By Samuel Calvert (1828-1913) and Oswald Rose Campbell (1820-1887) - National Library of Australia, [1] State Library of Victoria, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3503946
1885 CE
German protectorate declared
Germany declares a protectorate over the northern Solomon Islands, establishing colonial administration over islands including Bougainville and Choiseul. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Flag of Bougainville By Aliasd - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1809357
Jun 17, 1893 CE
British protectorate established
Britain declares a protectorate over the southern Solomon Islands, gradually expanding control to encompass most of the archipelago outside the German sphere. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Flag and government ensign of the Solomon Islands (1966–1977). By Thommy (original) - This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this file:, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58511480
1900 CE
Islands transferred to Britain
Germany cedes its Solomon Islands possessions to Britain under the Samoa Convention, consolidating the entire archipelago under a single colonial administration. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Flag and government ensign of the Solomon Islands (1966–1977). By Thommy (original) - This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this file:, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58511480
1920 CE
Malo movement emerges
A indigenous religious and social movement known as the Malo cult arises on Malaita, resisting colonial influence and promoting traditional authority structures. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Flag of the Solomon Islands By User:SKopp - Drawn by User:SKopp, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343758
May 3, 1942 CE
Japanese forces invade
Imperial Japanese forces occupy the Solomon Islands, establishing bases at Tulagi and later constructing an airfield on Guadalcanal, threatening Allied supply lines to Australia. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
This map was published in a booklet issued by the United States Marine Corps and is hence in the public domain. By United States Marine Corps - http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-C-NSol/index.html Originally uploaded 06:19, 26 January 2006 (UTC) by Nick-D (talk • contribs) to en:wiki., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4403894
Aug 7, 1942 CE
Allies land on Guadalcanal
United States Marines land on Guadalcanal and Tulagi, launching the first major Allied offensive against Japan and beginning a grueling six-month campaign. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Allies land on Guadalcanal By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=379350Video
Aug 9, 1942 CE
Battle of Savo Island
A Japanese naval force surprises and defeats Allied warships near Savo Island, sinking four cruisers in one of the worst naval defeats in U.S. and Australian history. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Quincy (CA-39) photographed from the Japanese heavy cruiser Chōkai during the Battle of Savo Island, off Guadalcanal, 9 August 1942. Quincy, seen here burning and illuminated by Japanese searchlights, was sunk in this action.The flames at the far left of the picture are probably from the USS Vincennes (CA-44), also on fire from gunfire and torpedo damage. By Imperial Japanese Navy, copied from the Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison World War II history illustrations file. Originally uploaded to English Wikipedia [1] by user Stan Shebs. - Official U.S. Navy photo NH 50346 from the U.S. Navy Naval History and Heritage Command, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=109336
Feb 9, 1943 CE
Guadalcanal secured
Japanese forces evacuate Guadalcanal, handing the Allies a strategic victory that becomes a turning point in the Pacific War and shapes modern Solomon Islands identity. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Guadalcanal secured By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=379350
Apr 7, 1943 CE
Operation I-Go launched
Japanese admiral Isoroku Yamamoto launches a major air offensive from Rabaul against Allied forces in the Solomons, shortly before being killed in an ambush. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Imperial Japanese Navy Combined Fleet commander Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto (left) with Admiral Jinichi Kusaka (center) at Rabaul in April 1943, shortly before Yamamoto's death. By Unknown author - Agawa, Hiroyuki, The Reluctant Admiral, Kodansha International, Tokyo, 1979, p. 203., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5072228
Nov 1, 1943 CE
Bougainville landings
U.S. Marines land at Cape Torokina on Bougainville, beginning a campaign that would tie down Japanese forces for the remainder of the war. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
U.S. Army soldiers on Bougainville (one of the Solomon Islands) in World War II. Japanese forces tried infiltrating the U.S. lines at night; at dawn, the U.S. soldiers would clear them out. In this picture, infantrymen are advancing in the cover of an M4 Sherman tank. By U.S. Army - This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2110145
1944 CE
Coastwatchers honored
Allied coastwatchers, many operating from hidden positions in the Solomon Islands, are widely credited for providing intelligence that saved countless lives during the Pacific campaign. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Original description: "A BOON TO AMERICANS – Natives such as these have been instrumental in the progress made by the Marines. These native policemen helped Captain Martin Clemens, Solomon Islands Defense Forces. An Australian, Captain Clemens remained on Guadalcanal throughout the Japanese occupation." By U.S. Marine Corps - Official U.S. Marine Corps photograph USMC 50505 from the USMC University history division [1]., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=947878
1953 CE
Maasina Rule movement
Indigenous political organization Maasina Rule gains mass support on Malaita, demanding self-governance and land rights, leading to arrests and eventual concessions by the colonial government. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Flag of the Solomon Islands By User:SKopp - Drawn by User:SKopp, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343758
1960 CE
Legislative Council established
Britain establishes a Legislative Council for the Solomon Islands, introducing limited representative government and beginning the formal path toward self-rule. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Flag and government ensign of the Solomon Islands (1966–1977). By Thommy (original) - This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this file:, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58511480
1974 CE
Governing Council created
A new constitution replaces the Legislative Council with a Governing Council, giving Solomon Islanders a majority of elected seats for the first time. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Flag and government ensign of the Solomon Islands (1966–1977). By Thommy (original) - This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this file:, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58511480
Jan 1, 1976 CE
Self-government achieved
Solomon Islands attains internal self-government with Peter Kenilorea as Chief Minister, preparing the territory for full independence from Britain. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
National Archives of Solomon Islands "building was officially opened on 2 March 1981 by Mr. Neil Marten, Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and Minister for Overseas Development, United Kingdom." Photographs are of Sir Baddley Devesi, 1st Governor General of Solomon Islands and Sir Peter Kenilorea, 1st Prime Minister of Solomon Islands. By Jenny Scott from Adelaide, Australia - IMG_3401 National Archives of Solomon Islands, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=118408448
Jul 7, 1978 CE
Independence declared
Solomon Islands gains full independence from the United Kingdom, joining the Commonwealth with Peter Kenilorea as the first Prime Minister. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Flag of the Solomon Islands By User:SKopp - Drawn by User:SKopp, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343758Video
May 1, 1986 CE
Cyclone Namu devastates islands
Cyclone Namu strikes the Solomon Islands, killing over 100 people and causing widespread destruction to infrastructure and agriculture across several provinces. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Severe Tropical Cyclone Namu on May 20, 1986 By The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NCDC - https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/hursat/index.php?name=avhrr-data Land and ocean data = https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/images/74117/august-blue-marble-next-generation This image was created using these two sources., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=167767248
Dec 1, 1998 CE
Ethnic tensions erupt
Long-simmering disputes between indigenous Guadalcanal people and settlers from Malaita escalate into armed conflict, beginning a period known as the Tensions. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Flag of the Solomon Islands By User:SKopp - Drawn by User:SKopp, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343758
Jun 5, 2000 CE
Coup topples government
Armed militants led by Andrew Nori seize Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu at gunpoint, forcing his resignation and plunging the country into deeper crisis. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Flag of the Solomon Islands By User:SKopp - Drawn by User:SKopp, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343758
Jul 24, 2003 CE
RAMSI intervention begins
A regional assistance mission led by Australia deploys to Solomon Islands at the government's request, restoring law and order and stabilizing the collapsing state. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Army, Solomon Islands, Honiara, Exercise Boss Lift, Op Rata, TG Rata 8, TG Rata 9, Territorial Army Reserves, Deployment: Op Rata consists of NZDF personnel and NZ Police who are supporting the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). TG Rata 8 is made up of mainly Territorial Army reserves and Ex Boss Lift has brought the Bosses of 11 of the soldiers to the Solomon Islands to see what they have been doing for the past 4 months. PTE Tim Vincent and his platoon meet with locals while on patrol in a rural Village, Mbarama. By New Zealand Defence Force from Wellington, New Zealand - MC 09-0081-262.jpg, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20379802Video
Apr 2, 2007 CE
Earthquake and tsunami strike
A magnitude 8.1 earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit the Western Province, killing over 50 people and destroying entire villages on Simbo and Ranongga islands. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Flag of the Solomon Islands By User:SKopp - Drawn by User:SKopp, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343758
Aug 1, 2010 CE
First no-confidence PM vote
Danny Philip becomes Prime Minister after a contentious election, reflecting the ongoing political instability that has characterized post-independence governance. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Danny Philip, the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, at the 42nd Pacific Islands Forum in Auckland By Alexwinkler - Own work, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37216319
Dec 1, 2014 CE
Severe flooding hits Honiara
Torrential rains cause devastating flash floods in and around the capital Honiara, killing at least 22 people and displacing thousands of residents. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Flag of the Solomon Islands By User:SKopp - Drawn by User:SKopp, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343758
Jun 30, 2017 CE
RAMSI mission concludes
After 14 years of operation, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands formally ends, transferring full security responsibility back to the national government. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Army, Solomon Islands, Honiara, Exercise Boss Lift, Op Rata, TG Rata 8, TG Rata 9, Territorial Army Reserves, Deployment: Op Rata consists of NZDF personnel and NZ Police who are supporting the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). TG Rata 8 is made up of mainly Territorial Army reserves and Ex Boss Lift has brought the Bosses of 11 of the soldiers to the Solomon Islands to see what they have been doing for the past 4 months. PTE Tim Vincent and his platoon meet with locals while on patrol in a rural Village, Mbarama. By New Zealand Defence Force from Wellington, New Zealand - MC 09-0081-262.jpg, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20379802
Sep 16, 2019 CE
Diplomatic switch to China
Solomon Islands severs diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of the People's Republic of China, a major geopolitical shift in the Pacific region. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Own work, adapted from Wikipedia blank world map. By Sangjinhwa - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=94976841
Nov 1, 2021 CE
Riots and Chinatown burning
Anti-government riots erupt in Honiara, resulting in the burning of buildings in Chinatown and prompting the government to request Australian security assistance. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Flag of the Solomon Islands By User:SKopp - Drawn by User:SKopp, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343758
Apr 19, 2022 CE
Security pact with China signed
Solomon Islands signs a controversial security agreement with China, raising concerns among Australia, New Zealand, and the United States about strategic influence in the Pacific. Source — Wikipedia, "Solomon Islands":
Own work, adapted from Wikipedia blank world map. By Sangjinhwa - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=94976841
