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France becomes protector of Gabon.
France assumed the status of protector by signing treaties with Gabonese coastal chiefs in 1839 and 1841. -
American missionaries arrive in Gabon.
American missionaries from New England established a mission at Baraka (Libreville) in 1842. -
Liberville, Gabon is formed.
In 1849 the French captured a slave ship and released the passengers at the mouth of the Como River. The slaves named their settlement Libreville meaning "free town." -
France occupied Gabon.
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France administered Gabon.
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Gabon becomes a territory of French Equatorial Africa.
In 1910 Gabon became one of the four territories of French Equatorial Africa, a federation that survived until 1959. The territories became independent in 1960 as the Central African Republic Chad Congo (Brazzaville) and Gabon. -
Gabon becomes independent,
The territories became independent in 1960 as the Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Brazzaville), and Gabon. -
Gabon becomes a republic.
Under the 1961 constitution, Gabon became a republic with a presidential form of government. -
Omar Bongo becomes President.
Leon M'Ba and Omar Bongo are elected President and Vice President. M'Ba died later that year, and Omar Bongo became President. -
Bongo is elected President and the position of vice president is abolished.
Bongo was elected President in February 1975, and the position of vice president was abolished and replaced by the position of prime minister, who had no right to automatic succession. -
Bongo is re-elected President.
Bongo was re-elected President in December 1979 to a 7-year term. -
Bongo is re-elected yet again.
President Omar Bongo coasted to easy re-election in December 1998, with large majorities of the vote. -
Bongo elected to his sixth term.
In November 2005, President Omar Bongo was elected for his sixth term. -
President Bongo dies.
On June 8, 2009, President Omar Bongo died of cardiac arrest at a Spanish hospital in Barcelona, ushering in a new era in Gabonese politics. -
Ali Bongo becomes new President.
Omar Bongo’s son, ruling party leader Ali Bongo Ondimba, was inaugurated into Presidency on October 16, 2009. -
Bongo is re-elected President again.
Bongo was re-elected President again in November 1986 to a 7-year term.
