History of Vanuatu in Timeline

Vanuatu, officially the Republic of Vanuatu, is an island country in Melanesia situated in the South Pacific Ocean. This volcanic archipelago lies 1,750 km east of northern Australia, 540 km northeast of New Caledonia, east of New Guinea, southeast of the Solomon Islands, and west of Fiji. It is known for its diverse culture, stunning natural landscapes, and unique traditions.

1906: French settlers outnumber British

By 1906, French settlers (at 401) outnumbered the British (228), almost two to one in New Hebrides.

1906: Australia barred 'blackbird' labourers

In 1906, Australia barred any further 'blackbird' labourers, as part of the gradual winding down of the indentured labour trade.

1906: Anglo-French condominium agreement

In 1906, France and the United Kingdom agreed on a framework for jointly managing the archipelago as the New Hebrides through an Anglo-French condominium.

1906: France and the United Kingdom agree to administer the islands jointly

In 1906, France and the United Kingdom agreed to administer the New Hebrides islands jointly, called the Anglo-French Condominium, with two separate governmental, legal, judicial and financial systems.

1910: Fiji barred 'blackbird' labourers

In 1910, Fiji barred any further 'blackbird' labourers, as part of the gradual winding down of the indentured labour trade.

1913: Samoa barred 'blackbird' labourers

In 1913, Samoa barred any further 'blackbird' labourers, as part of the gradual winding down of the indentured labour trade.

1914: Anglo-French Protocol extended

In 1914, the Condominium's authority was extended via the Anglo-French Protocol in an effort to curb the worst of the abuses.

1922: Anglo-French Protocol ratified

In 1922, the Anglo-French Protocol of 1914 was formally ratified, extending the Condominium's authority in an effort to curb the worst of the abuses, though labour abuses continued.

1929: Vietnamese in the New Hebrides

By 1929, there were some 6,000 Vietnamese people in the New Hebrides, working as indentured laborers in the plantations.

1940: Britain gains authority

In 1940, the fall of France to Nazi Germany allowed Britain to gain a greater level of authority on the islands.

December 1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States joined the war on the Allied side.

April 1942: Japan advanced rapidly throughout Melanesia

By April 1942, Japan had advanced rapidly throughout Melanesia and was in possession of much of what is now Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, leaving the New Hebrides on the frontline of any further advance.

May 1942: US troops stationed on the islands

From May 1942, US troops were stationed on the New Hebrides islands, building airstrips, roads, military bases and an array of other supporting infrastructure on Efate and Espiritu Santo.

1943: Solomons reoccupied

With the successful reoccupation of the Solomons in 1943, the New Hebrides lost their strategic importance during World War II.

1945: Volcanic Eruption

In 1945, a volcanic eruption occurred in Vanuatu.

1945: Americans withdrew

In 1945, the Americans withdrew from the New Hebrides, selling much of their equipment at bargain prices and dumping the rest in the sea, at a place now called Million Dollar Point on Espiritu Santo.

1946: Vietnamese repatriated

In 1946, most Vietnamese indentured workers in the New Hebrides were repatriated.

1957: Advisory Council set up

In 1957, an Advisory Council was set up in the New Hebrides, containing some Ni-Vanuatu representation having little power.

1963: Vietnamese repatriated

In 1963, Vietnamese indentured workers in the New Hebrides were repatriated.

1966: Nagriamel movement founded

In 1966, the Nagriamel movement was founded by Chief Buluk and Jimmy Stevens on a platform of opposing any further land clearances and gradual, Ni-Vanuatu-led, economic development.

1967: Buluk and Stevens arrested

In 1967, authorities cracked down on the Nagriamel movement, leading to the arrest of Buluk and Stevens.

1970: Primary enrollment near-universal

By 1970, primary enrollment in the New Hebrides was near-universal, following improvements to the mission-run school system.

1971: New Hebrides Cultural Association established

In 1971, Father Walter Lini established the New Hebrides Cultural Association (later renamed the New Hebrides National Party (NHNP)) which also focused on achieving independence and opposition to land expropriation.

November 1974: Agreement to create New Hebrides Representative Assembly

In November 1974, the British and French met and agreed to create New Hebrides Representative Assembly in the colony.

November 1975: First election took place

In November 1975, the first election took place, resulting in an overall victory for the NHNP.

November 1976: Assembly convened

In November 1976, after discussions and some fresh elections in disputed areas, the New Hebrides Representative Assembly finally convened.

March 1977: Joint Anglo-French and Ni-Vanuatu conference in London

In March 1977, a joint Anglo-French and Ni-Vanuatu conference was held in London, at which it was agreed to hold fresh Assembly elections and later an independence referendum in 1980.

1977: Annual arrivals of cruise ship tourism

By 1977, annual arrivals of cruise ship tourism grew rapidly, reaching 40,000.

1977: NHNP renamed Vanua'aku Pati

In 1977, the NHNP renamed itself the Vanua'aku Pati (VP), and now supported immediate independence under a strong central government and an Anglicisation of the islands.

November 1979: VP won elections

In November 1979, fresh elections were held in the New Hebrides, which the VP won with a comfortable majority.

July 1980: Independence was scheduled

In November 1979, it was scheduled that Independence was now scheduled for 30 July 1980.

July 1980: Vanuatu achieved independence

On 30 July 1980, the New Hebrides, now renamed Vanuatu, achieved independence under Prime Minister Walter Lini.

1980: Republic of Vanuatu Founded

In 1980, the Republic of Vanuatu was founded, marking its independence. Following independence, Vanuatu joined several international organizations including the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, and the Pacific Islands Forum.

1980: New Hebrides renamed Vanuatu

In 1980, the islands were explored extensively by British explorer Captain James Cook, who named them the New Hebrides, after the Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland, a name that lasted until independence in 1980.

1980: Independence referendum agreed

In March 1977, at a joint Anglo-French and Ni-Vanuatu conference held in London, it was agreed to hold an independence referendum in 1980.

1983: Lini won election

Walter Lini won the 1983 elections and remained in office.

1987: Vanua'aku Pati Split and Attempt to Unseat Lini

In 1987, opposition to Lini's rule grew, leading to a split in the Vanua'aku Pati (VP) under Barak Sopé, forming the Melanesian Progressive Party (MPP). An attempt was made by President Ati George Sokomanu to unseat Lini, who had suffered a stroke while visiting the United States, but the attempt failed.

1987: Lini won election

Walter Lini won the 1987 elections and remained in office.

1989: Primary school enrolment rate

In 1989, the primary school enrolment rate in Vanuatu was 74.5%.

September 1991: Lini Removed from Power

On 6 September 1991, a vote of no confidence removed Lini from power. Donald Kalpokas became prime minister, and Lini formed a new party, the National United Party (NUP).

1991: Proportion of pupils completing a primary education

In 1991, 90% of pupils completed a primary education in Vanuatu.

1991: UMP Wins Election, Forms Coalition with NUP

In 1991, the Francophone Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) won the election but needed to form a coalition with Lini's NUP. Maxime Carlot Korman of the UMP became prime minister.

1991: Lini left office

Walter Lini remained in office until 1991, running an Anglophone-dominated government.

1992: Vanuatu Joins Forum of Small States

Vanuatu has been a member of the Forum of Small States (FOSS) since the group's founding in 1992.

1993: Civil Service Strikes Begin

In 1993, the government struggled with splits in their NUP coalition partner and a series of strikes began within the Civil Service.

1994: Firings in Response to Civil Service Strikes

In 1994, the Civil Service strikes that began in 1993 were dealt with by a wave of firings.

1996: Abduction of Vohor and Léyé

In 1996, Vohor and President Jean-Marie Léyé were briefly abducted by the Vanuatu Mobile Force over a pay dispute and later released unharmed.

1997: Aid Package from Asian Development Bank

In 1997, Vanuatu received large aid packages from the Asian Development Bank.

1998: Riot at Vanuatu National Provident Fund and Reform Program

In 1998, a riot occurred in Port Vila when savers attempted to withdraw funds from the Vanuatu National Provident Fund. A Comprehensive Reform Program was enacted to improve economic performance and combat corruption.

November 1999: Earthquake and Tsunami Damage Pentecost

In November 1999, a severe earthquake, followed by a tsunami, caused extensive damage to the northern island of Pentecost, leaving thousands homeless.

1999: Sopé Replaces Kalpokas

In 1999, Barak Sopé of the MPP replaced Donald Kalpokas as prime minister after he resigned when threatened with a no confidence vote.

1999: Primary school enrolment rate

In 1999, the primary school enrolment rate in Vanuatu rose to 78.2%.

2001: Sopé Unseated

In 2001, Barak Sopé was unseated in a no confidence vote.

2001: Natapei Becomes Prime Minister

In 2001, Edward Natapei of the VP became prime minister.

January 2002: Earthquake and Tsunami Damage Port Vila

In January 2002, a powerful earthquake caused extensive damage in the capital Port Vila and surrounding areas, and was also followed by a tsunami.

2002: Natapei Wins General Election

In 2002, Edward Natapei went on to win the Vanuatuan general election.

2002: Death of Grace Mera Molisa

In 2002, Grace Mera Molisa, a women's rights activist and descriptive poet from Ni-Vanuatu, passed away.

2003: Vanuatu Removed from OECD List

In 2003, Vanuatu was removed from the OECD list of 'uncooperative tax havens'.

2004: Primary school enrolment rate

In 2004, the primary school enrolment rate in Vanuatu increased to 93.0%, while the proportion of pupils completing primary education fell to 72%.

2004: Vohor Returns to Power

The 2004 Vanuatuan general election saw Vohor and the UMP return to power.

2005: Aid Package from US Millennium Challenge fund

In 2005, Vanuatu received large aid packages from the US Millennium Challenge fund.

2005: Land Use Estimate

In 2005, it was estimated that only 9% of land in Vanuatu is used for agriculture.

August 2007: Earthquake Strikes

On August 2, 2007, another earthquake of 7.2 struck Vanuatu.

2007: Primary school enrolment rate

In 2007, the primary school enrolment rate in Vanuatu fell to 85.4%.

2007: Violent Clashes in Port Vila

In 2007, violent clashes broke out in Port Vila between migrants from Tanna and Ambrym, resulting in two deaths.

November 2008: Undersea Eruption

In November 2008, a nearby undersea eruption of 6.4 magnitude occurred with no casualties.

2008: Natapei Returns to Power

In 2008, Natapei returned to power as Vanuatu politics entered a period of turmoil after Lini lost the election.

2008: Lapita sites become UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 2008, The Lapita sites became Vanuatu's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing their historical and cultural significance.

2008: Population Pressure on Resources

In 2008, Vanuatu's population (estimated as growing 2.4% annually) placed increasing pressure on land and resources for agriculture, grazing, hunting, and fishing.

November 2009: Natapei Briefly Removed

In November 2009, Natapei was briefly removed on a procedural technicality, an action that was overturned by the Chief Justice.

December 2010: Kilman Ousts Natapei

In December 2010, Sato Kilman of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) ousted Natapei in a no confidence vote.

April 2011: Vohor Removes Kilman

In April 2011, Sato Kilman was removed in the same manner by Vohor's UMP.

2011: Vanuatu Joins WTO

In 2011, Vanuatu joined the World Trade Organization.

2012: Proportion of pupils completing a primary education

In 2012, the proportion of pupils completing primary education in Vanuatu rose to 78%.

March 2013: Kilman Ousted

In March 2013, Kilman managed to remain in office for two years, before being ousted.

2014: Kalosil Ousted in Confidence Vote

In 2014, Prime Minister Kalosil was ousted in another confidence vote, and the VP returned under Joe Natuman.

March 2015: Cyclone Pam Impacts Vanuatu

In March 2015, Cyclone Pam impacted much of Vanuatu as a Category 5 severe tropical cyclone, causing deaths and extensive damage to all the islands.

2015: Corruption Convictions

In 2015, a corruption investigation resulted in the conviction of numerous MPs in Kilman's government for bribery, including former PM Moana Carcasses Kalosil.

2015: Cyclone Pam Devastates Vanuatu

In 2015, the country was devastated by Cyclone Pam, which resulted in 16 deaths and enormous destruction.

2016: DNA Studies near Port Vila

In 2016, DNA studies of a 3,000-year-old skeleton found near Port Vila indicated that some people may have arrived directly from the Philippines or Taiwan.

2016: Salwai Wins General Election

In 2016, Kilman lost the Vanuatuan general election to Charlot Salwai's Reunification Movement for Change (RMC).

2018: Plastic Bag Ban

In 2018, Vanuatu banned all use of plastic bags and plastic straws.

2019: Plastic Waste Disposal Rate

In 2019, Vanuatu's plastic waste disposal rate was approximately 2,000 tonnes per year, with the most common items being single-use soft plastic packaging, polyethylene terephthalate water bottles, and Styrofoam packaging.

2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index

In 2019, the country had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 8.82/10, ranking it 18th globally out of 172 countries.

April 2020: Cyclone Harold Impacts Luganville

In April 2020, Cyclone Harold traveled through the Espiritu Santo town of Luganville, causing great material damage there and on at least four islands.

November 2020: First COVID-19 Case Recorded

In November 2020, Vanuatu recorded its first case of COVID-19, becoming one of the last places on Earth to suffer a coronavirus outbreak.

2020: Further Plastic Bans

In 2020, the government banned another seven more 'types' of items, covering cutlery, single-use plates, and artificial flowers.

2021: Vanuatu Ranks Highest in Disaster Risk

According to the WorldRiskIndex 2021, Vanuatu ranks first among the countries with the highest disaster risk worldwide.

October 2023: Vanuatu Aims to Eliminate Cervical Cancer

In October 2023, Vanuatu aimed itself at being the first Pacific country to eliminate cervical cancer.

2023: Port Vila Call for Fossil Fuel Free Pacific

In 2023, the governments of Vanuatu and other islands vulnerable to climate change launched the "Port Vila Call for a Just Transition to a Fossil Fuel Free Pacific", calling for the phase-out of fossil fuels and the 'rapid and just transition' to renewable energy and strengthening environmental law.

July 2024: Opening Ceremony of New Presidential Palace

In July 2024, Minister Charlot Salwai attended the opening ceremony of the new $21 million presidential palace built by China, who bestowed Vanuatu an oversized novelty golden key emblazoned with "China Aid".

December 2024: Magnitude 7.3 Earthquake Damages Efate

In December 2024, a magnitude 7.3 earthquake reportedly damaged almost every single house in Efate, where the capital, Port Vila, is located, resulting in 19 fatalities. Approximately a third of Vanuatu's population was affected.