Clipperton (France)

This article is about the specific polity Clipperton (France) and therefore only includes events related to its territory and not to its possessions or colonies. If you are interested in the possession, this is the link to the article about the nation which includes all possessions as well as all the different incarnations of the nation.

If you are looking for the page with the statistics about this polity you can find it here:All Statistics

Clipperton is an island in the Pacific Ocean, West to Mexico. After its discpver by Spain, it was practically abandoned and later rediscovered by France on 3 April 1711. With the exception of a period of Mexican and US occupation, it remained a French possession and is now an Overseas territory of France.

Establishment

April 1711: The island was rediscovered on Good Friday, 3 April 1711 by Frenchmen Martin de Chassiron and Michel Du Bocage, commanding the French ships La Princesse and La Découverte. It was given the name Île de la Passion (English: Passion Island). They drew up the first map and claimed the island for France.

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

1. Events

November 1858: On 17 November 1858 Emperor Napoleon III annexed Clipperton as part of the French colony of Tahiti.

January 1931: The sovereignty of France over Clipperton was recognized by the arbitration of the International Court and King Victor-Emmanuel III of Italy.

January 1939: The French rebuilt the lighthouse on Clipperton Island and settled a military outpost, which remained for seven years before being abandoned.

January 1951: TheClipperton island, although uninhabited, returned to be an overseas state private property of France, under direct authority of the Minister of Overseas France.

March 1986: Clipperton becomes an Overseeas Territory.