1822 European settlement begins at Levuka, Fiji's first modern town. 1830 The first Christian missionaries from Tahiti, Hatai, Arue and Tahaara, arrive at Lakeba, brought via Tonga by the London Missionary Society. 1835 Methodist missionaries, William Cross and David Cargill, arrive in Lakeba. They are accompanied by emissaries from Taufa'ahau the Tongan high chief and by Josua Mateinaniu, a Fijian from Vulaga who had been converted at Vava'u in 1834. 1840 First visit from an American exploring expedition commanded by Captain Charles Wilkes. 1845 Conversion of Ratu Ravisa (Varani), chief of Viwa, influenced by the ministry of Rev. John Hunt. Varani is the first significant Fijian missionary among the islands and a strong counter-cultural influence upon Ratu Seru Cakobau, preeminent among the warring chiefs of Fiji.
1847 Prince Enele Ma'afu of Tonga arrived in Fiji and established himself in Lakeba by 1848. Ma'afu's arrival and his settling in Lakeba was strengthened by his blood relationship with Roko Taliai Tupou the Tui Nayau. 1849 Trading store of United States Consul and settler John Brown Williams accidentally destroyed by stray cannon fire and subsequently looted by Fijian natives. 1851 First threatening visit from the United States Navy, demanding US$5,000 for Williams's losses. 1853 Warlord Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau installed as Vunivalu (Paramount Chief) of Bau, and claims the title of Tui Viti (King of Fiji). 1854 Cakobau converts to Christianity, influenced by the unifying features of Christianity, its obvious connections with the western world and the presence in Fiji of a Tongan army led by Taufa'ahau and Ma'afu. 1855 Cakobau crushes Rewa revolt.
The leader of the revolt, Mara, is executed four years later. John Brown Williams's home is destroyed by arson. Visit from warship USS John Adams, demanding almost $44,000 compensation; seizes some islands as mortgage.
1858 Arrival of the first British Consul William Thomas Pritchard.
Hostile visit from USS Vandalia.
Cakobau offers to cede the islands to the United Kingdom for US$40,000. 1862 The United Kingdom refuses to annex Fiji, claiming to have ascertained from Cakobau's fellow-chiefs that he was not universally accepted as King of Fiji and that he did not have the authority to cede the islands. 1865 Confederacy of Fijian chiefs formed. 1867 Threats to shell Levuka from an American warship.
Amid increasing unrest, Cakobau crowned King of Bau by European settlers. 1868 The Australian-based Polynesia Company acquires land near Suva, in return for promising to pay Cakobau's debts. 1871 Establishment of the Kingdom of Fiji as a constitutional monarchy, with Cakobau as King but with real power in the hands of a Cabinet and Legislature dominated by settlers from Australia. 1872 Lavish overspending saddles the new kingdom with debt. John Bates Thurston, a government official, approaches the United Kingdom on Cakobau's behalf with an offer to cede the islands. 1874 10 October - Fiji becomes a British colony. 1874 to 1970 Main article: Colonial Fiji Date Event 1875 An outbreak of measles leaves a third of the Fijian population dead. 1876 Great Council of Chiefs established. 1879 Arrival of 463 indentured labourers from India - the first of some 61,000 to come over the ensuing 37 years. 1881 First large sugar mill built at Nausori.
Rotuma Island annexed to Fiji. 1882 Capital moved from Levuka to Suva. 1897 Arrival in Suva of Hannah Dudley, first European Christian missionary among the Indians. She works among both the indentured and "free" Indians encouraging education and welfare programs. 1904 Legislative Council reconstituted as a partially elected body, with European male settlers enfranchised and Fijian chiefs given an indirect input. Most seats still filled by nomination rather than election. 1916 End of the importing of indentured labourers from India, this decision brought about by agitation within India and the visit to Fiji by Anglican clergyman Rev. Charles Freer Andrews, close confidant of Mahatma Gandhi.
First Indian appointed to Legislative Council. 1917 Count Felix von Luckner arrested on Wakaya Island. 1918 14% of the population killed by the Spanish flu pandemic (within sixteen days). 1928 First flight from Hawaii lands at Suva. 1929 Wealthy Indians enfranchised for the first time; Indian representation in the Legislative Council made elective. 1935 Establishment in Ra Province on Viti Levu of the Toko Farmers movement led by Ratu Nacanieli Rawaidranu and influenced by the Methodist missionary Arthur Lelean. Lelean encourages the farmers to be independent in their commercial operations and also to initiate moves for the formation of an independent Methodist Church. 1939 Nadi Airport built as an Allied air base. 1940 Native Land Trust Board established under the chairmanship of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna. 1951 Founding of Fiji Airways (now Air Pacific). 1953 Visit of Queen Elizabeth II.
Legislative Council expanded - but elective seats still a minority. 1954 Ratu Sukuna appointed first Speaker of the Legislative Council. 1963 Indigenous Fijians enfranchised.
Indigenous representation in the Legislative Council made elective, except for two members chosen by the Great Council of Chiefs.
Women enfranchised. 1964 Member System introduced, with Legislative Council members appointed to oversee government departments. This was the first step towards the establishment of a Cabinet system. 1965 Constitutional conference in London fails to agree on a timetable for a transition to internal self-government, but subsequent negotiations lead to compromises. 1967 Responsible government instituted; Ratu Kamisese Mara appointed first Chief Minister. 1968 University of the South Pacific established. 1970 April - Constitutional conference in London; Mara and Sidiq Koya agree on a compromise constitutional formula.
10 October - Fiji attains independence, ending 96 years of British rule.
1847 Prince Enele Ma'afu of Tonga arrived in Fiji and established himself in Lakeba by 1848. Ma'afu's arrival and his settling in Lakeba was strengthened by his blood relationship with Roko Taliai Tupou the Tui Nayau. 1849 Trading store of United States Consul and settler John Brown Williams accidentally destroyed by stray cannon fire and subsequently looted by Fijian natives. 1851 First threatening visit from the United States Navy, demanding US$5,000 for Williams's losses. 1853 Warlord Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau installed as Vunivalu (Paramount Chief) of Bau, and claims the title of Tui Viti (King of Fiji). 1854 Cakobau converts to Christianity, influenced by the unifying features of Christianity, its obvious connections with the western world and the presence in Fiji of a Tongan army led by Taufa'ahau and Ma'afu. 1855 Cakobau crushes Rewa revolt.
The leader of the revolt, Mara, is executed four years later. John Brown Williams's home is destroyed by arson. Visit from warship USS John Adams, demanding almost $44,000 compensation; seizes some islands as mortgage.
1858 Arrival of the first British Consul William Thomas Pritchard.
Hostile visit from USS Vandalia.
Cakobau offers to cede the islands to the United Kingdom for US$40,000. 1862 The United Kingdom refuses to annex Fiji, claiming to have ascertained from Cakobau's fellow-chiefs that he was not universally accepted as King of Fiji and that he did not have the authority to cede the islands. 1865 Confederacy of Fijian chiefs formed. 1867 Threats to shell Levuka from an American warship.
Amid increasing unrest, Cakobau crowned King of Bau by European settlers. 1868 The Australian-based Polynesia Company acquires land near Suva, in return for promising to pay Cakobau's debts. 1871 Establishment of the Kingdom of Fiji as a constitutional monarchy, with Cakobau as King but with real power in the hands of a Cabinet and Legislature dominated by settlers from Australia. 1872 Lavish overspending saddles the new kingdom with debt. John Bates Thurston, a government official, approaches the United Kingdom on Cakobau's behalf with an offer to cede the islands. 1874 10 October - Fiji becomes a British colony. 1874 to 1970 Main article: Colonial Fiji Date Event 1875 An outbreak of measles leaves a third of the Fijian population dead. 1876 Great Council of Chiefs established. 1879 Arrival of 463 indentured labourers from India - the first of some 61,000 to come over the ensuing 37 years. 1881 First large sugar mill built at Nausori.
Rotuma Island annexed to Fiji. 1882 Capital moved from Levuka to Suva. 1897 Arrival in Suva of Hannah Dudley, first European Christian missionary among the Indians. She works among both the indentured and "free" Indians encouraging education and welfare programs. 1904 Legislative Council reconstituted as a partially elected body, with European male settlers enfranchised and Fijian chiefs given an indirect input. Most seats still filled by nomination rather than election. 1916 End of the importing of indentured labourers from India, this decision brought about by agitation within India and the visit to Fiji by Anglican clergyman Rev. Charles Freer Andrews, close confidant of Mahatma Gandhi.
First Indian appointed to Legislative Council. 1917 Count Felix von Luckner arrested on Wakaya Island. 1918 14% of the population killed by the Spanish flu pandemic (within sixteen days). 1928 First flight from Hawaii lands at Suva. 1929 Wealthy Indians enfranchised for the first time; Indian representation in the Legislative Council made elective. 1935 Establishment in Ra Province on Viti Levu of the Toko Farmers movement led by Ratu Nacanieli Rawaidranu and influenced by the Methodist missionary Arthur Lelean. Lelean encourages the farmers to be independent in their commercial operations and also to initiate moves for the formation of an independent Methodist Church. 1939 Nadi Airport built as an Allied air base. 1940 Native Land Trust Board established under the chairmanship of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna. 1951 Founding of Fiji Airways (now Air Pacific). 1953 Visit of Queen Elizabeth II.
Legislative Council expanded - but elective seats still a minority. 1954 Ratu Sukuna appointed first Speaker of the Legislative Council. 1963 Indigenous Fijians enfranchised.
Indigenous representation in the Legislative Council made elective, except for two members chosen by the Great Council of Chiefs.
Women enfranchised. 1964 Member System introduced, with Legislative Council members appointed to oversee government departments. This was the first step towards the establishment of a Cabinet system. 1965 Constitutional conference in London fails to agree on a timetable for a transition to internal self-government, but subsequent negotiations lead to compromises. 1967 Responsible government instituted; Ratu Kamisese Mara appointed first Chief Minister. 1968 University of the South Pacific established. 1970 April - Constitutional conference in London; Mara and Sidiq Koya agree on a compromise constitutional formula.
10 October - Fiji attains independence, ending 96 years of British rule.
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