1942    World War II: Battle of Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.

1973    Papua New Guinea gains self government from Australia.

1975    Papua New Guinea gains its independence from Australia.

1975    Papua New Guinea joins the United Nations.

1998    Papua New Guinea earthquake: A tsunami triggered by an undersea earthquake destroys 10 villages in Papua New Guinea killing an estimated 3,183, leaving 2,000 more unaccounted for and thousands more homeless.