History of the Pacific Islands was the first European to sail through the islands and sighted Nui during his expedition in search of Terra Australis. European explorers did not return until two centuries later. In 1819 the island of Funafuti was named Ellice's Island; the name Ellice was applied to all nine islands after the work of English hydrographer Alexander George Findlay (1812–1876). The islands came under Britain's sphere of influence in the late 19th century, when each of the Ellice Islands was declared a British protectorate by Captain Gibson R.N., of HMS "Curacoa", between 9 and 16 October 1892. The Ellice Islands were administered
Solomon Islands Independence Medal stripes of blue, yellow, white, yellow, and green. Solomon Islands Independence Medal The Solomon Islands Independence Medal was created in 1978 to commemorate the transition from self-government to the full independence of the Solomon Islands. It is a part of the Solomon Islands honours system. The medal is round, made of silver coloured metal. The obverse bears the Cecil Thomas portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, surrounded by the inscription "Elizabeth II Dei Gratia Regina F:D:". The reverse bears the Coat of Arms of the Solomon Islands surrounded by the inscription "Solomon Islands Independence Medal 1978". The medal is held by