Commonwealth of Nations/Timelines
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- 1887: The first Colonial Conference beginning a series of consultations between Britain and its colonies.
- 1926 The 6th Imperial Conference established the Dominions as equal communities within the British Empire, with a common allegiance to the Crown.
- 1930: First Commonwealth Games held in Hamilton, Canada.
- 1931 Statute of Westminster confirmed the equality of Britain and the Dominions of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, and Newfoundland.
- 1949 The London Declaration
- 1965 The Commonwealth Secretariat is established
- 1971 The Singapore Declaration of Commonwealth Principles
- 1972: Pakistan withdraws from the Commonwealth over impending recognition of Bangladesh.
- 1977 Gleneagles Agreement discouraging sporting contacts with South Africa because of its apartheid policies.
- 1979 Lusaka Declaration on Racism and Racial Prejudice.
- 1987 Fiji suspended from Commonwealth following the overthrow of its government.
- 1991 The Harare Commonwealth Declaration adds democracy, good government and human rights to the Commonwealth's shared principles.
- 1994 - South Africa rejoins the Commonwealth following the end of apartheid.
- 1995 - Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group] is set up to deal with violators of the Commonwealth's shared principles.
- Nigeria suspended from the Commonwealth after it sentenced to death the writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and a group of fellow activists.
- 1997 - Fiji reinstated after it adopts new constitution more in line with Commonwealth's shared principles.
- 1999 Nigeria reinstated after its return to civilian rule.
- Pakistan suspended because of military take-over.
- 2002 Zimbabwe is suspended for a year over President Robert Mugabe's controversial re-election.
- 2003 Zimbabwe's suspension is made permanent.
- 2004 Pakistan is readmitted.
- 2007 November - Pakistan is suspended for a second time after President Musharraf declares a state of emergency and sacks top judges.
- 2008 May - Pakistan's suspension is lifted when Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group says the government has taken positive steps to fulfil its obligations.
- 2009 Rwanda becomes the 54th member of the Commonwealth
- Fiji is suspended from membership after military ruler refuses to schedule elections.