The 'Maasina Rule' – a brotherhood movement seeking local control – spread from Malaita to other islands. 1980 Sir Peter Kenilorea re-elected Prime Minister. European planters and traders bought freehold land from their Melanesian neighbours then sold it at huge profit to big companies such as Levers. Click here for the Weather in the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands saw some of the fiercest fighting during World War II, and it was here, with strong resistance from Australian and American forces that the Japanese were pushed back for the first time.

Rini resigns; replaced by Manasseh Sogavare. Assistance is still given today but with a new focus on community policing and sustainable development, © 2018 Welcome to Tourism Solomons.
1999 Ethnic strife breaks out on Guadalcanal island. The history and tradition here is alive and authentic. For centuries many self-governing communities speaking separate languages lived on the six big volcanic islands and scores of atolls in this central Melanesian archipelago. Guadalcanal was invaded by the Japanese in July 1942 and being so close to Australia, the island was viewed as an important stronghold. At dawn on August 7, 1942 the American Navy fired on the island while Marines landed on the beaches. Fierce battles, such as the Battle of Guadalcanal, raged on between 1942 and 1945. 1986 Ezekiel Alebua elected prime Minister. Living together on plantations gave men the chance to learn about each other in a common language - pijin English. Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana de Neira sighted the islands in 1568 and named them The Islands of Solomon, in the mistaken hope of mineral riches matching those of the biblical King. Due to European influences throughout the Solomon Islands’ history, Christianity is the predominant faith in the country. 1981 Solomon Mamaloni elected Prime Minister. Following the war, the Solomon Islands enjoyed a more stable administration, resulting in the increase in governmental independence. Spanish explorers were the first to visit the archipelago in the 16th century.

Following the war, Honiara was made the capital using infrastructure from the war to assist with its development. Items are made from local leaves and grasses, and traditional music is still heard. In 2007, a horrific tsunami and earthquake hit the archipelago, resulting in more than 50 deaths and millions of dollars in damage. In 1912, the British Government decreed that it alone could buy and lease land, thereby cutting traders' profits and increasing official revenue. 3. All Rights Reserved. 2001 Sir Allan Kemakeza elected Prime Minister. It is thought by some that ancient peoples may have arrived into parts of the Solomons as early as 25-30,000 BC after very slowly dispersing through South East Asia. The islands were discovered in the 16 th century. This is the first digital Encyclopaedia for any Pacific Island nation and enables access to the colonial years of the Solomon Islands. Visiting the Guadalcanal American War Memorial is a must.

Developed by Webmedia South Pacific, Solomon Islands International Visitors Survey.
History. After many months of constant combat, the Japanese withdrew completely in early 1943. Over the next 10 years, more islands became part of the Solomon Islands British protectorate. It is said that he named the country Isle de Solomon after the riches of King Solomon and the biblical land of gold. Large scale rioting rocked the capital, Honiara, in 2006, but eventually the violence was quelled thanks to intervention from the United Nations, led by Australian, New Zealand, and Fijian forces. There were heavy losses of life on all sides and names of key battle sites like Bloody Ridge, Red Beach, Skyline Ridge and Henderson Field remain to mark the brutal campaign. At the time the first Europeans began visiting the Solomon Islands, the country was nothing more than separate Pacific islands notorious for cannibalism and headhunting. It wasn’t until 1893 that Britain declared the Solomon Islands as a protectorate. The Solomon Islands were the scene of fierce fighting in World War II. He believed that the islands, like the King, had rich sources of gold as well as other treasures, an interesting fact about Solomon Islands. There were few opportunities for Solomon Islanders to advance and in 1939 village headmen asked Government and missions to build schools and dispensaries, increase wages and copra payments and move towards "a native parliament". There are a number of different dates and explanations about how the Solomon Islands was first settled. WWII saw the stoppage of most plantations across the Solomon Islands. Some say that visiting the Solomon Islands is like stepping back in time. The first official European contact was the sighting by Spanish explorer Mendana in 1568. However, the earliest date of known human habitation has been put at 1300-1000BC from carbon dating remains that were found in a cave on Guadalcanal. A rise in nationalist sentiment following WWII eventually led to the country’s independence in 1978. Impressed by American generosity and equality, many Islanders resented the post-war return of planters and officials. 2007 Major destruction in Western Solomons after earthquake and tsunami. By clicking "Sign Up" or "Sign In with Facebook" I acknowledge and, 3 Ways to Get Wet and Wild in Myrtle Beach, 14 Landmarks That Should Be Considered World Wonders, These Are the Most Peaceful Countries on the Planet, Deserts in Bloom: 6 Spots for Springtime Wildflower Watching, Yoho National Park Is the Most Incredible Place You've Never Heard Of. Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana de Neira sighted the islands in 1568 and named them The Islands of Solomon, in the mistaken hope of … By 1900, the areas formerly administered by Germany were handed over to the British. Derek Siku elected Prime Minister. The country is more renowned for its recent upheavals, which have been stopped for the time being. British interests lay in the supply of workers to sugar estates in Queensland and Fiji and less in the protection of Solomon Islanders. World War II and its aftermath had a significant impact on the islands and people. European powers were competing for influence in the Pacific and in 1886 a German protectorate was established over the northern Solomon Islands following the Anglo-German Treaty. 2. Details. Historian Judith Bennett has commented that in the mid 1960s Britain's  amble towards self-government rapidly escalated into a breakneck gallop towards independence. These requests were dismissed by officials and missionaries, whose authority diminished from 1941 to 1945 as Commonwealth and US forces fought the Japanese in central Solomon Islands. In 1998, tribal rivalries erupted into armed conflict, prompting Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Island neighbours to step in and negotiate peace and security. Missionaries, whose attempts to spread Christianity prior to 1893 led to revolts by locals, began to successfully convert the native population to Christianity.

Elsewhere on the islands, the brutal fighting continued. The Solomon Islands are believed to have been settled by Austronesian peoples around 2000BC. The Solomon Islands have a rich and fascinating history. In addition, the ancient form of the Solomon Islands dance can also be found. It is thought by some that ancient peoples may have arrived into parts of the Solomons as early as 25-30,000 BC after very slowly dispersing through South East Asia. 1993 Francis Billy Hilly elected Prime Minister. 1568 = Spanish explorer Álvaro de Mendaña y Neira is the first European to discover the Solomon Islands, first spotting Santa Isabel island . Even the village life is relatively similar to that of the time of pre-European arrival. Many thousands of soldiers and native civilians lost their lives during the Solomon Islands campaign.