HISTORIC TIMELINE
1884Division of Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea is divided between German New Guinea in the north and the British Territory of Papua in the south.
1902Cession to Australia
The British Territory of Papua is ceded to Australia.
1919Australian Control Post-WWI
All of present-day Papua New Guinea comes under Australian control after World War I.
1949Territories United
The two distinct territories of Papua New Guinea are united.
1975Independence
Papua New Guinea becomes an independent Commonwealth realm.
2025Constitutional Amendment
The constitution is amended to adopt Christianity as the official state religion.