Factbook
History of Marshall Islands — Timeline
Key dates in the history of Marshall Islands, from the Magna Factbook and the Universal Encyclopedia.
1592Spain formally claimed the islands in 1592.
1884Germany established a supply station on Jaluit Atoll and bought the islands from Spain in 1884, although paramount chiefs continued to rule.
1914Japan seized the Marshall Islands in 1914 and was granted a League of Nations Mandate to administer the islands in 1920.
1946Between 1946 and 1958, the US resettled populations from Bikini and Enewetak Atolls and conducted 67 nuclear tests; people from Ailinginae, Rongelap, and Utrik Atolls were also evacuated because of nuclear fallout, and Bikini and Rongelap remain largely uninhabited.
1947The US captured the islands in heavy fighting during World War II, and the islands came under US administration as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) in 1947.
1979In 1979, the Marshall Islands drafted a constitution separate from the rest of the TTPI and declared independence under President Amata KABUA, a paramount chief.
1986Independence: 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship).
1999Languages: Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999) Religions: Protestant 79.3% (United Church of Christ 47.9%, Assembly of God 14.1%, Full Gospel 5%, Bukot Nan Jesus 3%, Salvation Army 2.3%, Reformed Congressional Church 2.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.7%, New Beginning Church 1.4%, other Protestant 1.6%), Roman Catholic 9.3%, Church of Jesus Urban population: 78.9% of total population (2023).
2000In 2000, Kessai NOTE became the first commoner elected president.
2016In 2016, Hilda HEINE was the first woman elected president.
2018Major urban areas: 31,000 MAJURO (capital) (2018) upper middle-income Pacific island economy; US aid reliance; large public sector; coconut oil production as diesel fuel substitute; growing offshore banking locale; fishing rights seller; import-dependent Inflation: 6.2% (2022 est.).
2023Industries: copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls) Agriculture: coconuts (2023) Electricity access: 100% (2022 est.).
