Tonga Pacific Island Guide: Difference between revisions

'''500 '''The islands are settled by ''Polynesians''.<br>'''1400 '''A hereditary Tongan monarchy rules over ''Tonga, Samoa, Niue, Fiji'', and others.<br>'''1470 '''The Tui Tonga becomes more of a sacred ruler and creates the Hau office. The Hau rules in governmental affairs, and is called the Ha`atakaluaua Dynasty.<br>'''1616''' Dutch navigators visit Tonga.<br>'''1777''' British Captain James Cook visits, and returns in 1777. He names Tonga the Friendly Islands.<br>'''1790''' Civil war breaks out and continues through the 1820s.<br>'''1797''' British missionaries from the Wesleyan Methodist Church arrive.<br>'''1800''' Another dynasty is formed. The high chiefs live on Tongatapu, so it is known as the Land of Chiefs, and the other islands are called the Land of Servants.<br>'''1826''' A Wesleyan Mission is established.<br>'''1831''' Tuaufa`ahau is converted to Christianity, chooses the name George after the King of England, and wins a struggle against the Tui Tonga.<br>'''1845''' He proclaims himself King George Tupou I. The Wesleyans help write a code of laws.<br>'''1850''' The Tongan Islands are all united.<br>'''1862''' Serfdom is abolished.

'''1864''' German Migration to Tonga begins from Pyritz, Pommern, Kingdom of Prussia, Germany<br>'''1875''' A constitution is formed.  

'''1876''' Tonga and Germany enter into a treaty of friendship

'''1879''' Tonga and Great Britian enter into a treaty of friendship

'''1886''' Tonga and United States of America enter into a treaty of friendship<br>'''1891''' The first LDS missionaries arrive in Tonga.<br>'''1895''' LDS missionaries, Walker and Jensen arrive in Vava`u after visiting the King in Tongatapu.<br>'''1897''' A written Tongan based on the Latin alphabet is established. The alphabet includes 16 letters, plus a glottal stop, for which an apostrophe is used. All words end with a vowel sound.<br>'''1900''' With agreement between Germany, Britain, and United States, Tonga becomes a &nbsp;British protectorate.'''<br>1918''' Queen SaloteTupou III begins her reign.<br>'''1952''' Liahona High school opens in Tonga tapu.<br>'''1965''' Death of Queen Salote, whose reign was marked with great progress in education and other progress for the entire population.<br>'''1968''' Her son, King Taufa`ahau Tupou IV begins his reign. First LDS Stake is created in Tonga.<br>'''1970''' The British protectorate is dissolved.<br>'''1970''' Tongan full sovereignty is restored. LDS Church membership is 14,000 in Tonga.<br>'''1983''' An LDS Temple is dedicated at Nuku`alofa.<br>'''1990''' Dissatisfaction with corruption in high places brings unexpected victories to the Tongan Pro-Democracy party, which represents the interest of the “commoners” who believe the “nobles” are taking unfair advantage of their lifetime positions in parliament. <br>'''2000''' LDS Church membership stands at 45,000, divided between 16 stakes and a mission district.