Bougainville was first settled some 28,000 years ago.
Three to four thousand years ago, Austronesian people arrived, bringing with them domesticated pigs, chickens, dogs, and obsidian tools.
The first European contact with Bougainville was in 1768, when the French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville arrived and named the main island for himself.

British and American whaling ships visited the island for provisions, water and wood in the 19th century.
The first on record was the Roscoe in 1822, and the last was Palmetto in 1881.

The German Empire laid claim to Bougainville in 1899, annexing it into German New Guinea.
Christian missionaries arrived on the island in 1902.

During World War I, Australia occupied German New Guinea, including Bougainville.
It became part of the Australian Territory of New Guinea under a League of Nations mandate in 1920.

In 1942, during World War II, Japan invaded the island, but allied forces launched the Bougainville campaign to regain control of the island in 1943.
Despite heavy bombardments, the Japanese garrisons remained on the island until 1945.
Following the war, the Territory of New Guinea, including Bougainville, returned to Australian control.

In 1949 the Territory of New Guinea, including Bougainville, merged with the Australian Territory of Papua, forming the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, a United Nations Trust Territory under Australian administration.

On 9 September 1975, the Parliament of Australia passed the Papua New Guinea Independence Act 1975.
The Act set 16 September 1975 as date of independence and terminated all remaining sovereign and legislative powers of Australia over the territory.
Bougainville was to become part of an independent Papua New Guinea.
However, on 11 September 1975, in a failed bid for self-determination, Bougainville declared itself the Republic of the North Solomons.
The republic failed to achieve any international recognition, and a settlement was reached in August 1976.
Bougainville was then absorbed politically into Papua New Guinea with increased self-governance powers.

Between 1988 and 1998, the Bougainville Civil War claimed over 15,000 lives.
Peace talks brokered by New Zealand began in 1997 and led to autonomy.
A multinational Peace Monitoring Group (PMG) under Australian leadership was deployed.
In 2001, a peace agreement was signed including promise of a referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea.
This referendum was held between 23 November and 7 December 2019, with results being declared on 11 December.
The referendum question was a choice between greater autonomy within Papua New Guinea, or full independence.
Of the valid votes, 98.31% were in favour of full Independence.
The vote is not binding; the Government of Papua New Guinea has the final say on the status of Bougainville.
Bougainville was first settled some 28,000 years ago. Three to four thousand years ago, Austronesian people arrived, bringing with them domesticated pigs, chickens, dogs, and obsidian tools. The first European contact with Bougainville was in 1768, when the French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville arrived and named the main island for himself.
British and American whaling ships visited the island for provisions, water and wood in the 19th century. The first on record was the Roscoe in 1822, and the last was Palmetto in 1881.
The German Empire laid claim to Bougainville in 1899, annexing it into German New Guinea. Christian missionaries arrived on the island in 1902.
During World War I, Australia occupied German New Guinea, including Bougainville. It became part of the Australian Territory of New Guinea under a League of Nations mandate in 1920.
In 1942, during World War II, Japan invaded the island, but allied forces launched the Bougainville campaign to regain control of the island in 1943. Despite heavy bombardments, the Japanese garrisons remained on the island until 1945. Following the war, the Territory of New Guinea, including Bougainville, returned to Australian control.
In 1949 the Territory of New Guinea, including Bougainville, merged with the Australian Territory of Papua, forming the Territory of Papua and New Guinea, a United Nations Trust Territory under Australian administration.
On 9 September 1975, the Parliament of Australia passed the Papua New Guinea Independence Act 1975. The Act set 16 September 1975 as date of independence and terminated all remaining sovereign and legislative powers of Australia over the territory. Bougainville was to become part of an independent Papua New Guinea. However, on 11 September 1975, in a failed bid for self-determination, Bougainville declared itself the Republic of the North Solomons. The republic failed to achieve any international recognition, and a settlement was reached in August 1976. Bougainville was then absorbed politically into Papua New Guinea with increased self-governance powers.
Between 1988 and 1998, the Bougainville Civil War claimed over 15,000 lives. Peace talks brokered by New Zealand began in 1997 and led to autonomy. A multinational Peace Monitoring Group (PMG) under Australian leadership was deployed. In 2001, a peace agreement was signed including promise of a referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea. This referendum was held between 23 November and 7 December 2019, with results being declared on 11 December. The referendum question was a choice between greater autonomy within Papua New Guinea, or full independence. Of the valid votes, 98.31% were in favour of full Independence. The vote is not binding; the Government of Papua New Guinea has the final say on the status of Bougainville.
Bougainville Island