1968. 2001. The Encyclopedia of World History

The Encyclopedia of World History. 2001.


1968

Nauru became an independent nation. The University of the South Pacific opened in Suva, Fiji.	1

1970, Oct. 10

Fiji gained its independence from Britain as a dominion within the British Commonwealth. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara became its first prime minister.	2

1971

The South Pacific Forum was launched at Wellington, New Zealand, in August, to provide heads of independent and self-governing island states (and Australia and New Zealand) the opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest and promote regional cooperation.	3

1974, Oct. 19

Niue attained self-government in free association with New Zealand, which assumed responsibility for its defense.	4

1975, Sept. 16

Papua New Guinea gained its independence from Australia.	5

1976

The Northern Mariana Islands, which opted for U.S. citizenship and commonwealth status in 1975, became fully incorporated into the U.S. Its government was instituted in 1978.	6

1978

Ellice Island became independent as Tuvalu after it separated from the Gilbert Islands in 1976.	7
The Solomon Islands also gained independence from Britain.	8

1979

The Gilbert Islands, together with Line and Phoenix groups and Ocean Island, achieved independence as the Republic of Kiribati.	9

May 1

The Marshall Islands became an independent republic.	10

May 10

The Federated States of Micronesia (Yap, Pohnpei, Truk, and Kosrae) came into existence.	11


The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.