50.000 BC - First settlers are thought to arrive on New Guinea from Asia. .css-14iz86j-BoldText{font-weight:bold;}A chronology of key events. Papua and New Guinea Patrol Reports, 1922-1955. Provinces of Papua New Guinea The National Capital District. Please cite this report as: Global Volcanism Program, 2020. The maximum felt intensity was IX on the Mercalli intensity scale. Recent archaeological research suggests that 50,000 years ago people may have occupied sites in the highlands at altitudes of up to 2,000 m (6,600 ft), rather than being restricted to warmer coastal areas.[3]. 1996 - Theodore Miriong is assassinated at his home in south-west Bougainville. Coffee is … Anti-Chinese rioting involving tens of thousands of people broke out in May 2009. [14] The Supreme Commander of operations was the United States General Douglas MacArthur, with Australian General Thomas Blamey taking a direct role in planning and operations being essentially directed by staff at New Guinea Force headquarters in Port Moresby. Papua New Guinea set to lift lockdown despite recent surge in cases. The mission's report, The Economic Development of the Territory of Papua New Guinea, published in 1964, set out the framework upon which much of later economic policy, up to and beyond independence, proceeded. During the initial phase in early 1942, the Empire of Japan invaded the Australian-administered Mandated Territory of New Guinea (23 January) and the Australian Territory of Papua (21 July) and overran western New Guinea (beginning 29/30 March), which was a part of the Netherlands East … The rebellion began in early 1989, active hostilities ended with a truce in October 1997 and a permanent ceasefire was signed in April 1998. 1999 December - John Momis sworn in as governor of Bougainville. Perhaps the biggest contributor to Papua New Guinea’s continuing poverty problem is the fact that so many government officials, in charge of funds that could help, have historically chosen to pocket the money instead. In July 1988, a no-confidence vote toppled Wingti and brought to power Rabbie Namaliu, who a few weeks earlier had replaced Somare as leader of the Pangu Party. 1973 December - Granted self-government. The autonomous Bougainville elected Joseph Kabui as president in 2005, who served until his death in 2008. RONALD MAY | Australian Institute of International Affairs. He was succeeded by his deputy John Tabinaman as acting president while an election to fill the unexpired term was organised. Mailing List - See more. During the initial phase in early 1942, the Empire of Japan invaded the Australian-administered Mandated Territory of New Guinea (23 January) and the Australian Territory of Papua (21 July) and overran western New Guinea (beginning 29/30 March), which was a part of the Netherlands East … 1873 - Captain John Moresby charts the south-east part of New Guinea and the archipelago, naming Port Moresby after his father. From the Torres Strait, the London Missionary Society sends evangelists to the New Guinean south coast. Papua New Guinea became self-governing on 1 December 1973 and achieved independence on 16 September 1975. Papua New Guinea has recently concluded its ninth general … Two of them went to The Australian Museum, Sydney (from Beazley and Shepherd). The Commonwealth of Australia assumed a mandate from the League of Nations for governing the former German territory of New Guinea in 1920. This guide is to one of the sets of government patrol reports from the former territories of Papua and New Guinea, now the independent country of Papua New Guinea. Papua New Guinea will not be dependent on Australia in 10 years, new PM says. After leading the first expedition, Sam Freeman did not return and Reg Beazley became party leader of the second expedition, with Pontey Seale mining engineer, Bill MacGregor and Beazley prospectors and recruiters, and Ernie Shepherd in charge of transport and supplies, prospecting when opportunity arose. However, parliament also extends the range of offences for which the death penalty can be applied, to the dismay of human rights organisations. Where it was the president who banned social media, The men vying to take Merkel's top job in Germany, BBC Worklife: The women running companies in 1870BC, Wikipedia at 20: The encyclopedia in five articles. Strong 7.0 magnitude earthquake hits Papua New Guinea. The Papua and New Guinea Act 1949 formally approved the placing of New Guinea under the international trusteeship system and confirmed the administrative union under the title of The Territory of Papua and New Guinea. On December 12, 2011, the Supreme Court ruled that Sir Michael Somare has been illegally removed from office and ordered the reinstatement of Prime Minister Somare. There was little economic activity in Papua. On December 12, 2011, the Supreme Court ruled that Sir Michael Somare has been illegally removed from office and ordered the reinstatement of Prime Minister Somare. They had not progressed to any country on the southern watershed through which the early explorers and prospectors travelled to the Hagan Range and Wabag. 2011 December - Standoff between Peter O'Neill and Michael Somare continues, with both running parallel administrations. Secessionist, Francis Ona, proclaims "a republic of Bougainville". The Japanese finally ran out of steam during the Papuan Campaign, and were unable to capture Port Moresby on the south coast of Papua New Guinea. 2014 April - Paul Tiensten, a former senior minister and current MP, is sentenced to nine years imprisonment for misappropriating millions of dollars of public funds. Autumn on this island comes in late March and lasts until June. James Tanis won that election in December 2008 and served until the inauguration of John Momis, the winner of the 2010 elections. From this base they prospected along the Maramuni River and its tributaries, again without success. During World War I, Papua New Guinea was occupied by Australia, which had begun administering British New Guinea, the southern part, as the re-named Papua in 1904. .css-orcmk8-HeadlineContainer{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;-ms-flex-pack:justify;justify-content:space-between;}NYC bendy bus left drooping from overpass.css-1dedj2h-Rank{-webkit-align-self:center;-ms-flex-item-align:center;align-self:center;color:#B80000;margin-left:3.125rem;}1, The 69-year-old trolled for her 'too sexy' photos2, North Korea unveils new submarine-launched missile3, Fake news 'causing UK South Asians to reject jab'4, Biden unveils $1.9tn US economic relief package5, New York Dolls guitarist Sylvain Sylvain dies6, Republicans clash over impeachment as trial looms7, Rise and fall of the Spanish state's secret fixer8, Indonesia searches rubble for earthquake survivors9, Trump takes final swipes at China's big companies10. During the Pacific War, Papua was governed by an Australian military administration from Port Moresby, where General Douglas MacArthur occasionally made his headquarters. Beazley was drilling test sites for oil with Matahower in the lower Sepik and he and McGregor recruited labour on the Sepik and explored grass country to Wee Wak. Current records at the Australian Museum show that Beazley's wig, described as "a cap composed of human hair from the headwaters of the U–at River, Central Mountains, Mandated Territory of NG", was lodged on 31 January 1930, presumably on his quick visit to Sydney after the first expedition. Michael Somare, prime minister of Papua New Guinea from 1975 to 2011, faced charges of political misconduct and misappropriation of funds spanning over 20 years, while in … Instead, they are sent to Nauru, or to Papua New Guinea’s Manus Island, for “offshore processing”, a bleak dysphemism because no genuine resettlement ever takes place. Following the passage of the Pap… [17][18], Numerous Chinese have worked and lived in Papua New Guinea, establishing Chinese-majority communities. 1914 - Australian forces occupy German New Guinea during the First World War. © 2021 BBC. The militia, worn out and severely depleted by casualties, were relieved in late August by regular troops from the Second Australian Imperial Force, returning from action in the Mediterranean theatre. In 1884, the German Empire formally took possession of the northeast quarter of the island and put its administration in the hands of a chartered trading company formed for the purpose, the German New Guinea Company. Mr O'Neill challenges the warrant in multiple court cases. Australia's change of policy towards Papua New Guinea largely commenced with the invitation from the Australian Government to the World Bank to send a mission to the Territory to advise on measures to be taken towards its economic development and political preparation. 1873 - Methodist missionary George Brown opens a mission station on Duke of York Islands. In the charter granted to this company by the German Imperial Government in May 1885, it was given the power to exercise sovereign rights over the territory and other "unoccupied" lands in the name of the government, and the ability to "negotiate" directly with the native inhabitants. 2016 July - Prime Minister Peter O'Neill survives no-confidence vote in parliament over corruption allegations following weeks of protests calling for his resignation. 2007 May - Parliament passes a law to allow casinos and online gambling. Not until recent years has New Guinea's exploration been planned; much of it has been the work of miners, labour recruiters, missionaries, adventurers, with different objectives in mind. Cleland remained in the position till his retirement in 1967, then remaining in Port Moresby until his death in 1975. Australasia. These towns are divided by the steep Owen Stanley mountain range. The Act provided for a Legislative Council (established in 1951), a judicial organization, a public service, and a system of local government, with Sir Donald Cleland as administrator. The bird life in Papua New Guinea provides the tribal elders with fancy feathered headdress and cloaks. But nothing of note has been reported: So we did not leave much behind, it seems. 2012 June - Rival prime ministers Peter O'Neill and Sir Michael Somare contest parliamentary elections, hoping that the results will decide who is in charge. Shortly after the start of the Pacific War, the island of New Guinea was invaded by the Japanese. Population Pyramids: Papua New Guinea - 1955. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a resource-rich country, yet almost 40 percent of the population lives in poverty. On 26 February 2018, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Papua New Guinea (PNG), triggering landslides, killing and burying people and houses, affecting water sources and destroying crops. A coalition, headed by Wingti, was victorious in very close elections in July 1987. This new Mandated Territory of New Guinea is governed totally separately from the Territory of Papua. North Korea unveils new submarine-launched missile, Biden unveils $1.9tn US economic relief package, The 69-year-old trolled for her 'too sexy' photos, Rise and fall of the Spanish state's secret fixer, .css-1snjdh1-IconContainer{display:none;height:0.875em;width:0.875em;vertical-align:-0.0625em;margin-right:0.25em;}Inside the world's richest esports player's mansion. In 1972, the name of the territory was changed to Papua New Guinea. The two towns are connected by the Kokoda track across the mountains. 5000 BC - Intensive agriculture develops in the New Guinea Highlands, apparently independently of outside influence. 1962-01-15 Dutch & Indonesian navy encounter in Etna Bay New Guinea 1962-05-19 Indonesian paratroopers land in New Guinea 1962-07-15 Netherlands and Indonesia reach agreement over New Guinea [7] They journeyed on the "Banyandah", a cruiser of 12 metres (38 ft) from Madang up the coast to the mouth of the Sepik River, travelling along that river to Marienberg and Moim, then along the Karosameri River to the Karrawaddi River and on to the Arrabundio River and Yemas, after which it was necessary to transport their stores and equipment by pinnace, canoe and ultimately on foot to their Mountain Base on the upper Arrabundio River. Australasia. Such reversals of fortune and a revolving-door succession of prime ministers continue to characterize Papua New Guinea's national politics. 1975 April - New currency, the kina, replaces the Australian dollar. Various nations from Oceania, including Australia and New Zealand, immediately sent aid to the country. By Dr Ronald May. Although the earliest materials in this set are dated 1922 and the latest 1955, the bulk of the collection dates from 1933 through 1955. 1949 July - Australia establishes a joint administration over both territories called the Territory of Papua and New Guinea. As part of the current peace settlement, a referendum on independence is planned to be held in Bougainville sometime before mid-2020. Before gaining independence from the occupiers in the year 1975, the state was divided into administrative regions called districts. Manam (Papua New Guinea) Minor explosive activity, continued thermal activity, and SO2 emissions, October 2019-March 2020. The indigenous peoples of New Guinea, commonly called Papuans, are Melanesians. 'We made a peaceful entry into this new country, establishing a reputation for fair trade and decent behaviour ... but gold was our interest and we had traced the rivers and tributaries as far as practicable where conditions and results justified the effort and found nothing worthwhile. Papua New Guinea’s magnificent and varied scenery reflects a generally recent geologic history in which movements of the Earth’s crust resulted in the collision of the northward-moving Australian Plate with the westward-moving Pacific Plate.The low-lying plains of southern New Guinea are geologically part of the Australian Plate. In the past, headhunting and cannibalism occurred in many parts of what is now named Papua New Guinea. The plantations were given to Australian war veterans and in 1921 the League of Nations gave Australia a trusteeship over New Guinea. Bully Beef Club. New Guinea, island of the eastern Malay Archipelago, in the western Pacific Ocean, north of Australia. A radio camp and airstrip were set up at Wabag in 1938–39. Video, Inside the world's richest esports player's mansion, NYC bendy bus left drooping from overpass, Fake news 'causing UK South Asians to reject jab', New York Dolls guitarist Sylvain Sylvain dies, Republicans clash over impeachment as trial looms, Indonesia searches rubble for earthquake survivors, Trump takes final swipes at China's big companies. In 1545, he noted the resemblance of the people to those he had earlier seen along the Guinea coast of Africa. 1942-43 - Allied victories in the battles of Milne Bay, along the Kokoda Trail and around Buna and Gona becomes the turning point of the Pacific War, forcing the Japanese to retreat. 2015 January - Government denies reports that protests at an Australian immigration centre on Manus Island turned violent after 400 detainees reportedly went on hunger strike. Almost completely straight, the boundary is formed primarily by the line … What happened 3 May in Papua New Guinea. 1964 June - A 64-member House of Assembly replaces Legislative Council and for the first time indigenous representatives are elected to the majority of seats in the legislature. 1977 June-July - First parliamentary elections since independence. By the early 1950s, through administration and mission pressures, open cannibalism had almost entirely ceased. .css-1xgx53b-Link{font-family:ReithSans,Helvetica,Arial,freesans,sans-serif;font-weight:700;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:#FFFFFF;}.css-1xgx53b-Link:hover,.css-1xgx53b-Link:focus{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Read about our approach to external linking. Relationships with foreign powers were retained as the preserve of the German government. 2011 August - Parliament elects Peter O'Neill as acting prime minister, replacing acting prime minister Sam Abal, who takes legal action against the move. The 1977 national elections confirmed Michael Somare as Prime Minister at the head of a coalition led by the Pangu Party. The most unfavorable month in the autumn period is April. In 1899, the German imperial government assumed direct control of the territory, thereafter known as German New Guinea. 2014 June - Prime Minister O'Neill disbands the country's main anti-corruption body, Taskforce Sweep. 1997 October - Burnham Truce marks the end of the decade-old armed struggle by Bougainville separatists. 1995 April - The Bougainville Transitional Government is sworn in under leadership of Theodore Miriong. 1999 1 January - Bougainville Reconciliation Government replaces the Bougainville Transitional Government. With Europe's growing desire for coconut oil, Godeffroy's of Hamburg, the largest trading firm in the Pacific, began trading for copra in the New Guinea Islands. Archaeological evidence indicates that humans arrived on New Guinea perhaps 60,000 years ago, although this is under debate. 2011 September - Michael Somare returns from Singapore and claims that he is still the prime minister, saying that he did not retire voluntarily. In general, the winter in the island is quite pleasant - comfortable temperature, rains are rare. But it … Former rebel leader Joseph Kabui and Gerard Sinato are nominated as co-leaders. In 2013, the Family Protection Act was passed, which criminalizes domestic violence and allows victims to obtain protection orders. The possession was placed under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1902. Papua New Guinea politics has descended into fresh chaos, with the supreme court throwing out the country’s budget and demanding parliament return to work. The Japanese were driven back. To the north and east are the islands of Manus, New Britain, New Ireland, and Bougainville, all part of Papua New Guinea. An exception is the record of the Akmana Gold Prospecting Company's Field Party which carried out two expeditions from September to December 1929 and from mid February to the end of June 1930. However, when Germany began settlements in the north a British protectorate was proclaimed in 1884 over the southern coast of New Guinea and its adjacent islands. [16] The House of Assembly of Papua and New Guinea replaced the Legislative Council in 1963, and after elections on 15 February, opened on 8 June 1964. "New Guinea" (Nueva Guinea) was the name coined by the Spanish explorer Yñigo Ortiz de Retez. He extends his absence for medical reasons and undergoes heart surgery in Singapore. [1][2] They came probably by sea from Southeast Asia during an Ice Age period when the sea was lower and distances between islands shorter. All of them are unarmed. The written history began when European navigators first sighted New Guinea in the early part of the 17th century. Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, just north of Australia, and many outlying islands. '[8], 'Members of the Akmana party donated wigs they had brought back to various museums. In 1914 when the First World War broke out Australia seized the German colony. With the results in five constituencies yet to be declared, parliament met on Wednesday 2 August and the incumbent prime minister, Peter O’Neill, was re-elected to head a new coalition … At least 15 women and children have been killed in a massacre in Papua New Guinea’s Hela province, in one of the worst outbreaks of tribal violence in the country for years. Interactive timeline: what happened to every person caught up in Australia's offshore processing regime. The Akmana Gold Prospecting Field Party made contact with many peoples they called: grass country people, head hunters, pygmies, wig–men, Kanakas, Poomani. In 1883, the Colony of Queenslandtried to annex the southern half of eastern New Guinea, but the British government did not approve. It began with the easy Japanese conquest of most of the north coast of the massive island. About one-tenth larger than California, its mountainous interior has only recently been … 1971 July - Renamed Papua New Guinea (PNG). A magnitude 7.2 earthquake has rattled the Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea, cutting power and knocking items off shelves though there were no immediate reports of serious damage.. Following the passage of the Papua Act in 1905, British New Guinea became the Territory of Papua, and formal Australian administration began in 1906, although Papua remained under their control as a British possession until the independence of Papua New Guinea in 1975.[4]. 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