History of Tahiti in Timeline

Tahiti, the largest island in French Polynesia's Windward Society Islands, is a volcanic island in the central Pacific Ocean. It is divided into Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Iti, characterized by mountainous terrain and coral reefs. With a 2022 population of 191,779, it is the most populous island in French Polynesia, representing 68.7% of the total population.

1903: Paul Gauguin's Death

French artist Paul Gauguin, known for his Tahitian-inspired works, passed away in 1903.

1903: French Establishments in Oceania

The Établissements Français d'Océanie (French Establishments in Oceania) were established in 1903, consolidating Tahiti and other surrounding islands under French control.

1938: Fédération Tahitienne de Football Founded

The Fédération Tahitienne de Football, responsible for governing football in Tahiti, was established in 1938.

1938: Tahiti Cup Inception

The Tahiti Cup, the island's main football knockout competition, was first held in 1938.

1946: French Citizenship Granted

In 1946, Tahiti and all of French Polynesia were designated as an overseas territory, granting Tahitians French citizenship, a right long advocated for by nationalist leader Pouvanaʻa a Oopa.

1962: "Mutiny on the Bounty" Released

The film "Mutiny on the Bounty," starring Marlon Brando and set against the backdrop of Tahiti, was released in 1962.

1966: Nuclear Bomb Testing

France began its nuclear testing program in 1966, conducting 193 tests above and below the atolls of Moruroa and Fangataufa.

1971: Tahiti National Rugby Union Team Active

The Tahiti national rugby union team began competing in 1971.

July 1974: Nuclear Test Impacts Tahiti

In July 1974, fallout from a French nuclear test codenamed Centaure impacted Tahiti and surrounding islands, exposing as many as 111,000 people to radiation.

1974: Museum of Tahiti and the Islands Established

The Musée de Tahiti et des Îles, an ethnographic museum dedicated to Polynesian artifacts and cultural practices, was founded in 1974.

1984: "The Bounty" Released

Another film based on the HMS Bounty mutiny, "The Bounty," featuring Mel Gibson, was released in 1984, further solidifying Tahiti's connection to the historical event.

1989: Fédération Tahitienne de Rugby de Polynésie Française Formed

The governing body for rugby union in Tahiti, the Fédération Tahitienne de Rugby de Polynésie Française, was established in 1989.

January 1996: Nuclear Bomb Testing

January 1996 marked the end of France's nuclear testing program, which had been taking place in the atolls of Moruroa and Fangataufa since 1966.

2003: Overseas Collectivity Status

French Polynesia's status changed in 2003 to that of an overseas collectivity.

May 2004: Territorial Assembly Elections

Elections for the Assembly of French Polynesia were held in May 2004.

October 2004: Censure Motion Against Government

Gaston Flosse successfully led a censure motion against the newly elected government in October 2004, triggering a political crisis.

2004: Overseas Country Status

In 2004, French Polynesia was further declared an overseas country.

2005: Temaru's First Term Ends

Oscar Temaru's first term as President of French Polynesia ended in 2005.

June 2006: Chirac on Tahitian Independence

During the France-Oceania Summit in June 2006, French President Jacques Chirac expressed his belief that the majority of Tahitians did not support independence, while remaining open to the possibility of a future referendum on the issue.

2006: Temaru's Second Term Begins

Oscar Temaru began his second term as President of French Polynesia in 2006.

2008: Flosse Re-elected

Gaston Flosse was re-elected in 2008 after a period of political instability.

2009: Value Added Tax (VAT) Rates

In 2009, the VAT in Tahiti was 10% on tourist services, 6% on accommodations and food & beverages, and 16% on goods.

2009: Temaru's Third Term Begins

Oscar Temaru commenced his third term as President of French Polynesia in 2009.

2009: Tahitian Throne Claim

Tauatomo Mairau laid claim to the Tahitian throne in 2009, seeking legal recognition for the reinstatement of the monarchy.

2010: Tahiti Selected as Host

Tahiti was chosen to host the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2010.

2012: Oil Consumption

Tahiti, reliant on imported oil, consumed 7,430 barrels of oil per day in 2012, according to the US Energy Information Administration.

2012: Tahiti Wins OFC Nations Cup

The Tahitian national football team achieved a historic victory in 2012, winning the OFC Nations Cup and becoming the first team besides Australia or New Zealand to do so.

September 2013: FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Hosted by Tahiti

Tahiti hosted the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in September 2013, with the national team making a strong run to the semifinals.

2013: Tahiti Participates in FIFA Confederations Cup

Following their OFC Nations Cup win, Tahiti qualified for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

2013: Temaru's Third Term Ends

Oscar Temaru's third term as President of French Polynesia concluded in 2013.

2015: Tahiti Reaches the Finals

Tahiti's beach soccer team reached the finals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2015.

March 2017: Exchange Rate (March 2017)

In March 2017, the exchange rate for the French Pacific Franc (CFP), Tahiti's currency, was approximately 113 CFP to the United States dollar.

2017: Population of Tahiti

In 2017, the population of Tahiti was recorded as 189,517, making it the most populated island in French Polynesia.

2017: Tahiti Reaches the Finals Again

Tahiti's beach soccer team again reached the final of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2017, showcasing their prowess in the sport.

2017: Census Data on Birthplaces

The 2017 census collected data on the birthplaces of Tahiti's 189,517 residents.

2017: Metropolitan French Population

The 2017 census indicated that a significant portion of people originally from metropolitan France resided in Papeʻete and its suburbs, notably Punaʻauia (16.8%) and Arue (15.9%).

2017: "Gauguin: Voyage to Tahiti" Released

The French film "Gauguin: Voyage to Tahiti," which depicts Paul Gauguin's time in Tahiti, was released in 2017.

2022: Oil Consumption

By 2022, Tahiti's daily consumption of imported oil had decreased to 6,100 barrels.

2022: Population of Tahiti

The 2022 census recorded Tahiti's population to be 191,779.

2024: Tahiti to Host Surfing Competition

Tahiti has been selected to host the surfing competition for the 2024 Summer Olympics, marking it as the only event held outside of metropolitan France.