History of Fiji in Timeline
The Republic of Fiji, an island nation in Melanesia located in the South Pacific Ocean, encompasses over 330 islands and 500 islets, with a total land area of roughly 18,300 square kilometers. While Fiji boasts over 330 islands, only about 110 are inhabited. A majority of its population, approximately 924,610 people, reside on the two largest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The island's capital, Suva, is located on Viti Levu, which is also home to other urban centers like Nadi and Lautoka. Viti Levu's interior is sparsely populated due to its challenging terrain.
1914: Rise of Viti Kabani
Apolosi Nawai founded Viti Kabani, a cooperative company aimed at challenging European economic dominance, in 1914.
1915: Arrest of Apolosi and Followers
Apolosi and his followers were arrested in 1915, leading to the eventual collapse of Viti Kabani.
1916: End of Indian Indentured Labour in Fiji
The scheme of bringing indentured laborers from India to work in Fiji, primarily on sugarcane plantations, came to an end in 1916.
September 1917: Surrender of Count Felix von Luckner
Count Felix von Luckner, the captain of the German raider SMS Seeadler, surrendered to Fijian authorities on Wakaya Island in September 1917.
1917: Collapse of Viti Kabani
Viti Kabani, facing suppression from colonial authorities, collapsed in 1917.
1921: Return of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna
Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, a war hero and Fiji's first university graduate, returned to Fiji in 1921, later becoming a key figure in shaping the nation.
1932: Mr Robinson Crusoe Films in Fiji
Fiji's foray into Hollywood began in 1932 with the filming of "Mr Robinson Crusoe".
1946: Death of Apolosi Nawai
Apolosi Nawai, a prominent figure in Fijian resistance, died in 1946 after years of imprisonment and exile.
July 1965: Constitutional Conference in London
A constitutional conference took place in London in July 1965 to discuss constitutional changes and the possibility of responsible government in Fiji.
1967: Establishment of a Cabinet System
Fiji established a cabinet system of government in 1967, with Ratu Kamisese Mara becoming the first Chief Minister.
1969: Death of A. D. Patel
A. D. Patel, a prominent Indo-Fijian leader, passed away in 1969.
April 1970: Second Constitutional Conference
A second constitutional conference was held in London in April 1970, where a compromise was reached on the electoral system and a timetable for Fiji's independence.
October 1970: Fiji's Independence Day
Fiji officially became independent at midnight on 10 October 1970, marking a historic moment in its journey as a nation.
1970: Fiji Gains Independence
Fiji gained independence from British rule in 1970.
1970: Fiji Gains Independence
Fiji transitioned from a Crown colony to an independent nation known as the Dominion of Fiji in 1970.
1976: Hong Kong Sevens Domination
Since the inception of the Hong Kong Sevens in 1976, Fiji's national sevens side has established a formidable record, winning the tournament an unprecedented eighteen times.
1980: "The Blue Lagoon" Films in Fiji
"The Blue Lagoon", starring Brooke Shields, was filmed in Fiji in 1980.
1986: Fiji's Cultural Showcase at World Exposition
Fiji's rich culture was put on display at the World Exposition held in Vancouver, Canada in 1986, offering a glimpse into the nation's heritage and traditions.
1987: Coups in Fiji
In 1987, Fiji experienced coups that led to further economic contraction.
1987: Rugby World Cup Debut
Fiji made its inaugural appearance at the Rugby World Cup in 1987, advancing to the quarter-finals in a remarkable debut performance.
1987: Fiji Becomes a Republic
Following a series of coups d'état, the military government declared Fiji a republic in 1987.
1987: Military Coups and Transition to Republic
Two military coups took place in Fiji in 1987, fueled by concerns over Indo-Fijian dominance in the government. The coups led to the abolition of the monarchy, the establishment of a non-executive president, and the country's renaming to the Republic of Fiji.
1990: Institutionalization of Ethnic Fijian Dominance
A new constitution was implemented in Fiji in 1990, formalizing the political dominance of ethnic Fijians.
1991: Fiji Clinches Victory in the Pacific Games Football Tournament
Fiji's national football team emerged victorious in the Pacific Games football tournament in 1991.
1991: "Return to the Blue Lagoon" Films in Fiji
"Return to the Blue Lagoon", featuring Milla Jovovich, was filmed in Fiji in 1991.
1992: Rabuka Becomes Prime Minister
Sitiveni Rabuka, who led the 1987 coups, was elected Prime Minister of Fiji in 1992 under the new constitution.
1992: International Rugby League Debut
The Fiji national rugby league team, known as the Bati, marked its entry into international competition in 1992.
1996: Religious Diversity
The 1996 census highlighted the religious diversity in Fiji. While certain Christian denominations like the Assemblies of God and Seventh-day Adventists were well-represented, they also had some Indo-Fijian members. The census data indicated that Christians from various denominations constituted 6.1% of the Indo-Fijian population.
1997: New Constitution and Name Change
A new constitution was adopted in Fiji in 1997, which garnered support from both indigenous Fijian and Indo-Fijian communities. The country was also renamed to the Republic of the Fiji Islands.
1997: Rugby World Cup Sevens Champions
Fiji's national rugby sevens team achieved a significant milestone by winning the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 1997.
1997: Official Languages Recognized
Under the 1997 constitution, Fiji formally recognized three official languages: English, Fijian (iTaukei), and Hindi (Fiji Hindi).
1997: English as the Sole Official Language
Until 1997, English, a legacy of British colonial rule, served as the only official language in Fiji. It was, and continues to be, widely used in government, business, and education as a common language.
1999: Netball World Cup
The Fiji national netball team achieved its highest ranking to date, securing 6th position at the Netball World Cup in 1999.
2000: Political Coup and Ethnic Tensions
Following the coup in 2000, Indo-Fijians experienced a period of reprisals. This event highlighted the strained relations between ethnic Fijians and Indo-Fijians, a tension that has significantly influenced Fijian politics for a generation.
2000: Coup Led by George Speight
George Speight spearheaded a coup in 2000, successfully overthrowing the government of Mahendra Chaudhry, Fiji's first Indo-Fijian Prime Minister. Commodore Frank Bainimarama assumed executive power after President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara's resignation. Later that year, two mutinies occurred at Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Suva, involving rebel soldiers.
2000: "Cast Away" Films in Fiji
The popular movie "Cast Away" was shot in Fiji in 2000.
September 2001: Restoration of Democracy and Election
Following a High Court order to reinstate the constitution, a general election was held in September 2001 to restore democracy in Fiji. The election resulted in a victory for interim Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase's Soqosoqo Duavata ni Lewenivanua party.
2003: Fiji Secures Second Victory in the Pacific Games Football Tournament
Fiji's national football team repeated their success from 1991 by winning the Pacific Games football tournament again in 2003.
2003: Fijian Military Personnel in Iraq
Following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, a significant number of former Fijian military personnel were employed in the lucrative security sector in Iraq.
2003: Tourism in Fiji
By 2003, Fiji saw 430,800 tourists visiting the country, highlighting the growing tourism industry as a major source of foreign exchange.
2004: "Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid" Films in Fiji
"Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid" was filmed in Fiji in 2004.
2005: Rugby World Cup Sevens Triumph
Fiji's national rugby sevens team continued their dominance in the sport by securing their second Rugby World Cup Sevens title in 2005.
2005: Proposed Reconciliation and Unity Commission
In 2005, the Qarase government put forth a controversial proposal for a Reconciliation and Unity Commission. The commission aimed to recommend compensation for victims of the 2000 coup and amnesty for those involved.
December 2006: Bainimarama's Ultimatum and Parliament Dissolution
In late November and early December 2006, tensions escalated between Bainimarama and Qarase over a bill proposing pardons for participants in the 2000 coup attempt. Bainimarama issued an ultimatum to Qarase, demanding specific concessions by December 4th or his resignation. Qarase refused to comply, leading to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo signing a legal order on December 5th, dissolving the parliament.
December 2006: Military Takeover Led by Bainimarama
On December 5, 2006, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, citing government corruption, initiated a military takeover targeting Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase, whom he had previously helped install after the 2000 coup. Bainimarama assumed the presidency's powers, dissolved parliament, and appointed Jona Senilagakali as caretaker prime minister.
2006: Military Coup Led by Frank Bainimarama
Commodore Frank Bainimarama seized power in a coup in 2006, leading to political instability.
January 2007: Restoration of Executive Power and Bainimarama as Interim Prime Minister
On January 4, 2007, the military declared the restoration of executive power to President Iloilo, who subsequently endorsed the military's actions. The following day, Iloilo appointed Bainimarama as interim prime minister, signifying the military's continued control.
2007: Suspension of the Great Council of Chiefs
The military-backed interim government suspended the Great Council of Chiefs in 2007, signifying a shift in traditional power structures.
2007: Pacific Games Victory
The Fiji national netball team triumphed at the 2007 Pacific Games, earning gold medals for their performance.
2007: Population Census
The 2007 census in Fiji reported a population of 837,271, with a population density of 45.8 inhabitants per square kilometer. Life expectancy was 72.1 years.
2007: Religion in Fiji
Information about the religious makeup of Fiji was collected and analyzed in 2007.
2007: Rugby World Cup Quarter-Finalists
Fiji's national rugby union team repeated their 1987 success by reaching the quarter-finals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup. They secured their place by defeating Wales 38-34 in an upset victory.
2007: Religious Demographics
According to the 2007 census, Christianity was the most prevalent religion in Fiji, with 64.4% of the population identifying as Christian. Hinduism followed with 27.9%, Islam with 6.3%, and other religions and those with no religious affiliation made up the remainder.
2007: Government R&D Expenditure in Fiji
According to the Fijian National Bureau of Statistics, agriculture and primary production received just under half of the government's expenditure on research and development in 2007.
August 2008: Proposed Change to National Identity
In August 2008, ahead of the release of the People's Charter for Change, Peace and Progress, a proposal surfaced to change how Fiji's citizens were identified. The proposal suggested that all citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, be called "Fijians." This was met with resistance from groups who believed the term "Fijian" belonged exclusively to indigenous Fijians.
2008: Rugby League World Cup Semi-Finalists
Fiji's Bati achieved a historic feat by reaching the semi-finals of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, showcasing their growing prowess in the sport.
2008: Fiji's National Football Team Achieves Joint-Record Third-Place Finish at the OFC Nations Cup
In 2008, Fiji's national football team secured a notable victory against New Zealand at the OFC Nations Cup, ultimately achieving a joint-record third-place finish in the tournament.
April 2009: Constitutional Crisis
During the constitutional crisis of April 2009, military leader and interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama made an address to the nation.
April 2009: Court Ruling, Constitutional Abrogation, and Emergency Regulations
The Fiji Court of Appeal in April 2009 overturned a previous High Court decision that had deemed Bainimarama's takeover of Qarase's government legal. This ruling declared the interim government illegal. In response, President Iloilo abrogated the constitution, removed all officials appointed under it, and declared himself Head of State under a new legal order. He then reappointed Bainimarama as interim prime minister and imposed Public Emergency Regulations, restricting internal travel and enabling press censorship.
May 2009: Suspension from Pacific Islands Forum
Fiji was suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum on May 2, 2009, becoming the first nation to face such action. This suspension stemmed from Fiji's failure to conduct democratic elections by the promised date.
September 2009: Suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations
Fiji's suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations took effect on September 1, 2009. The suspension resulted from Bainimarama's failure to fulfill the Commonwealth's demand for elections by 2010, following the 2006 coup.
2009: Samoa Exits Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance
Samoa announced its withdrawal from the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance in 2009, leaving Fiji and Tonga as the remaining members.
2009: High Court Rules Against Military Leadership
The Fijian High Court declared the military leadership unlawful in 2009, leading to constitutional changes and the appointment of a new interim prime minister.
May 2010: Debate over National Identity Continues
In May 2010, Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum reiterated the stance that the term "Fijian" should be applicable to all Fiji nationals. This reignited the debate and sparked protests, with some arguing that the term "Fijian" had legal connotations and pertained to specific rights granted to indigenous Fijians.
2010: Need for Electoral Reform
Bainimarama stated that more time was needed to reform the voting system, which was perceived as favoring ethnic Fijians over multi-ethnic minorities.
2010: Lifting of Public Emergency Regulations and Announcement of Constitutional Process
In his 2010 New Year's address, Bainimarama declared the lifting of the Public Emergency Regulations (PER). He also announced a national consultation process to develop a new constitution, which would guide the 2014 elections.
2010: Fiji's Cultural Representation at Shanghai World Expo
Fiji, along with other Pacific nations, participated in the Shanghai World Expo 2010, showcasing its culture and heritage at the Pacific Pavilion.
February 2011: Reinstatement of "Republic of Fiji"
The official name of the country was reverted back to "Republic of Fiji" in February 2011.
January 2012: Rescission of Public Emergency Regulations
The Public Emergency Regulations (PER), implemented in April 2009 after the abrogation of the former constitution, were officially rescinded in January 2012. These regulations had imposed restrictions on speech, public gatherings, and news media, granting additional powers to security forces.
2012: GERD/GDP Ratio in Fiji
In 2012, Fiji recorded a GERD/GDP ratio of 0.15%, indicating the country's investment in research and development.
2012: Tourism Trends in Fiji
In 2012, official statistics revealed that 75% of visitors to Fiji indicated their purpose of travel as holidays or vacations.
2012: Fiji Launches "Fiji Journal of Public Health"
The Fijian Ministry of Health launched the "Fiji Journal of Public Health" in 2012 to foster the development of local research capacity.
2012: Abolition of the Great Council of Chiefs
The Great Council of Chiefs, a body established during colonial rule, was officially abolished in 2012.
2013: Constitution Maintains Official Languages
The 2013 Constitution of Fiji maintained the recognition of English, Fijian (iTaukei), and Hindi as the three official languages of the country.
2013: EU Funds EPIC Programme
The European Union initiated funding for the EPIC programme in 2013, aiming to develop master's programs in renewable energy management.
2013: Consecutive Rugby League World Cup Semi-Final
The Fiji national rugby league team continued their impressive run by reaching the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup for the second consecutive time in 2013.
March 2014: Partial Lifting of Commonwealth Suspension
The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group voted on March 14, 2014, to modify Fiji's full suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations. This change allowed Fiji to participate in specific Commonwealth activities, including the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
September 2014: First Democratic Elections in Years
In September 2014, Fiji held its first democratic elections after years of delays, marking a significant step towards democratic governance.
September 2014: General Election and FijiFirst Victory
A general election held on September 17, 2014, saw Bainimarama's FijiFirst party secure a victory with 59.2% of the vote, deemed credible by international observers.
September 2014: Full Reinstatement to the Commonwealth
Fiji's suspension from the Commonwealth of Nations was lifted in September 2014.
2014: New Constitution and Elections
Fiji adopted a new constitution and held elections in 2014.
2014: Centre of Renewable Energy Opens at University of Fiji
The Centre of Renewable Energy was established at the University of Fiji in 2014, supported by the European Union-funded Renewable Energy in Pacific Island Countries Developing Skills and Capacity programme (EPIC).
2014: FijiFirst Party's Election Victory
The FijiFirst party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, secured a clear majority in Fiji's 51-seat parliament during the 2014 election.
December 2015: IRB World Ranking
As of December 2015, Fiji held the eleventh position in the World Rugby rankings.
2015: Fiji's Energy Sector Diversification
In 2015, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community highlighted Fiji's potential to expand the use of renewable energy options such as solar, wind, geothermal, and ocean-based energy sources to diversify its energy sector.
2015: Pacific Games Success
The Fiji national netball team continued its winning streak at the Pacific Games, taking home another gold medal in 2015.
2016: Olympic Gold Medal
Fiji's national rugby sevens team created history at the 2016 Summer Olympics by winning the country's first ever Olympic gold medal. They defeated Great Britain 43-7 in a resounding victory in the final.
2016: Fiji's Men's Football Team Qualifies for the Summer Olympics for the First Time
Making history, Fiji's men's national football team qualified for the Summer Olympics for the first time in 2016.
2016: "Survivor" Begins Filming in Fiji
The U.S. version of the reality TV show "Survivor" started filming in Fiji's Mamanuca Islands from its 33rd season in 2016, marking a long-term filming location for the show.
2016: Master's Programmes in Renewable Energy Management Accredited
Two master's programs in renewable energy management, one at the University of Papua New Guinea and the other at the University of Fiji, received accreditation in 2016 as part of the EPIC programme.
2017: Population Census
The 2017 census in Fiji recorded a population of 884,887.
2017: EPIC Programme Concludes
The EPIC program, funded by the European Union, concluded in 2017 after successfully developing master's programs in renewable energy management.
2018: FijiFirst's Narrow Victory
The FijiFirst party, led by Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, narrowly won the 2018 election, securing another term in office.
2018: FijiFirst Wins 2018 Election
The 2018 election resulted in FijiFirst winning with 50.02% of the votes, securing 27 out of 51 parliamentary seats and maintaining their majority.
2018: Forest Landscape Integrity Index
In 2018, Fiji ranked 24th out of 172 countries globally in the Forest Landscape Integrity Index with a mean score of 8.35/10.
2019: Third Rugby League World Cup Semi-Final Appearance
The Fiji national rugby league team solidified their status as a top contender by making their third consecutive semi-final appearance at the 2019 Rugby League World Cup.
2019: Diploma Programme in Renewable Energy Introduced
The University of Fiji introduced a diploma programme related to renewable energy in 2019, complementing the master's degree program established through the EPIC initiative.
2020: Launch of Regional Pacific Nationally Determined Contributions Hub Office
In 2020, the Regional Pacific Nationally Determined Contributions Hub Office was launched in Fiji to support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
October 2021: Election of New President
Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere was elected as the new President of Fiji by the parliament in October 2021.
December 2022: Rabuka's Return as Prime Minister
Sitiveni Rabuka, leader of the People's Alliance (PAP), assumed office as Fiji's 12th prime minister on December 24, 2022, succeeding Bainimarama following the December 2022 general election.
2022: FijiFirst Loses Majority, Rabuka Becomes Prime Minister
FijiFirst lost its parliamentary majority in the 2022 election. Sitiveni Rabuka of the People's Alliance party, with support from the Social Liberal Democratic party (Sodelpa), became the new Prime Minister, succeeding Frank Bainimarama.
2050: Fiji's Net-Zero Emissions Goal
Fiji aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 as part of its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Climate Agreement.