2nd Worldwar and after

1941 Japan declares war and attacks Rabaul. 1942 The entire developed zone Neuguineas becomes a war zone, with the exception of the southwest.The allies win the naval and air battles at the Coral Sea.

1943-1944 The allies gradually free the mainland that had been penetrated by the Japanese.Australia loses 14,500 men through combat and illnesses.

1945 After capitulation of the Japanese, Port Moresby is reconstructed under the command of Colonel J. K. Murray.

1946 United Nations confirms the Australian mandate order.

1949 Even after the proclamation by the Republic of Indonesia, Dutch New Guinea remains a rich part of the Netherlands.

1950 The first "Local Government Council" is founded in Hanuabada at Port Moresby.

1951 The first legislative council in the east part of New Guinea (Papuan and New Guinea) constitutes itself.

1952 P. Hasluck is responsible as the first minister of Papua –New Guinea. Development of independence in association with Australia; all-important decisions are made in Canberra.

1955-1956 Indonesia claims Dutch West-New Guinea.A conference between the Dutch and Indonesians ends with no results.

1962 Indonesian troops attempt to land on West-New Guinea, in order to exert pressure on the Netherlands to annex the area with them. Mediated by the USA (Diplomat Ellsworth Bunker) and the UN, a contract between the Netherlands and Indonesia is signed on August 15, 1962. The agreement is sent to the UN on October 1, 1962. The agreement states that Indonesia will receive the administration of the controversial, Western portion of Dutch New Guinea on May 1, 1963.

1963 Indonesia receives the administration of West-New Guinea, and is renamed, Irian Barat (West Irian). Later it is named Irian Jaya and today it is called Papua (Irian means “hot country” in the Biak Numfoor language.)

1964 Parliament election takes place and of the 64 candidates, 38 of them are natives of Papua-New Guinea.

1965 For the first time in the world, the Melasian Council of Churches claims that Protestant and Catholic churches are equal partners.

1965 Foundations of universities: In Port Moresby for Papua Niugini and in Jayapura (Sukarnopura, formerly Hollandia) for the Indonesian province Papua (earlier: Irian Barat also named West Irian, then Irian Jaya, today Papuan).

1967 A group of experts from the United Nations is created to take stock and make suggestions on how the 30 million U.S. Dollars, allocated to the Dutch administration, should be used and applied. This project is titled, “Fund of the United Nations for the Development of West Irian,” or, “FUNDWI.”

1969 "Act of Free Choice". In accordance with the contractual agreement between Indonesia and the Netherlands, West Irian, held a referendum on the constitutional position of West Irian, which gives a majority to Indonesia (United Nations confirms the result, an issue which is still disputed due to the manner of voting procedures and discrimination). Groupings (OPM = Operasi Papua Merdeka, Freedom for Papua) are supporters of a separate independence from Indonesia.

1969 Papuan Niugini and Pidgin (common in Niugini) and Hiri Motu languages spread to Papuan as an official language.

1972 Michael Somare forms a coalition in Papua Niugini after the third legislative session; the party includes the Pangu Pati, People’s Progress Party, Mataungan Association and the National party.The united party (with heavy-support in the central highland) fills 40% of the delegate seats in Parliament and is the official opposition under Tei Abal.

1973 Responsibility for Port Moresby is taken over on the 1st of December. Australia retains the supervision over defense, police, foreign policy and foreign trade. The country zone of Papuan Niugini comprises the formerly German and English colonial areas. Yet the border in the area of the TorresStraight between Australia and Papuan Niugini is not exactly defined. Irian Jaya (curently Papua) is about 374,400 KM2 (~144,500 mi2) and has approximately 800,000 inhabitants. The east half of the island, the central zone of Papua Niugini is about 397,500 KM2 (153, 500 mi2) and has approximately 2,200,000 inhabitants.

1977
January:State visit by Michael Somares in Indonesia.
March:Visit by Queen Elisabeth II in Papua Niugini.
April:Revolts surface in the Baliem valley among the Dani, and is between ifferent Dani groups to uprising, that combatively suppressed by Indonesia.
June: The first elections occur since the attainment of independence. Albert Maori Kiki and the previous Foreign Minister and Minister of Defense lose their mandate and Michael Somare (since 1972) remains Prime Minister.

2002 Irian Jaya, the Indonesian West part of Neuguinea is renamed Papua due to pressure of the domestic population.

2004 Asmat solves itself of the administration of the Kebupaten Merauke and becomes an independent Kebupaten (county). Juventius Biakai, an Asmat from Yamas Yeni, becomes the first Asmat Bupati (Regent).