Tonga Travel Guide

BC 1000

Tonga settled by ancient Polynesians

AD 950

Tu'i Tonga dynasty founded

1200

Tonga dominates Western Polynesia

1600

end of the "classic" era in Tongan history

1616

Schouten and Le Maire sight the Niuas of Tonga

1643

Abel Tasman visits Tongatapu and Ha'apai

1773

Captain Cook's first visit to Tonga

1822

Wesleyan missionaries arrive in Tonga

1831

chief of Ha'apai accepts Christianity

1838

King George Tupou I creates a united Tonga

1875

Tongan Constitution proclaimed

1900

Tonga accepts British protection

1918

influenza epidemic devastates Tonga

1967

King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV assumes Tongan throne

1970

Tonga reestablishes full sovereignty

1992

Tonga Pro-democracy Movement founded

1998

Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement created

2001

millions in state funds lost on U.S. investments

2004

Royal Tongan Airlines goes bankrupt

2006

King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV dies at age 88

2006

eighty percent of Nukualofa burned in rioting

2008

coronation of King Siaosi (George) Tupou V

2009

Ferry MV Princess Ashika sinks with 74 dead

2010

First democratic Tongan parliament elected

2012

Tonga's king dies at age 63