The
Gilbert and Ellice Islands were a British
protectorate from 1892 and colony from 1916 until 1 January 1976, when the islands were divided into two colonies which became independent nations shortly after. A
referendum was held in December 1974 to determine whether the
Gilbert Islands and Ellice Islands should each have their own administration. As a consequence of the referendum, the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony ceased to exist on 1 January 1976 and the separate countries of
Kiribati and
Tuvalu came into existence.