Michael Somare

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Michael Somare

Role / Field:

Papua New Guinean politician, 'father of the nation,' and first PM after independence.

Born:

1936-04-09

Died:

2021-02-25

Century / Era:

1936s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Sir Michael Thomas Somare (9 April 1936 – 25 February 2021) was a Papua New Guinean politician. Widely called the "father of the nation" (Tok Pisin: Papa blo kantri), he was the first Prime Minister after independence. At the time of his death, Somare was also the longest-serving prime minister, having been in office for 17 years over three separate terms: from 1975 to 1980; from 1982 to 1985; and from 2002 to 2011. His political career spanned from 1968 until his retirement in 2017. Besides serving as PM, he was minister of foreign affairs, leader of the opposition and governor of East Sepik Province.

Career & Major Achievements

He served in a variety of positions. His base was not primarily in political parties but in East Sepik Province, the area that elected him. During his political career he was a member of the House of Assembly and after independence in 1975 the National parliament for the East Sepik Provincial – later open – seat. He was the first chief minister at the end of colonial rule. Thereafter he became the first Prime Minister after independence from 1975 to 1980.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He returned to the office of Prime Minister from 1982 to 1985, and his longest stint in the position was from 2002 to 2011. He also served as Cabinet Minister: he was minister of foreign affairs from 1988 to 1992; from 1999 to 2001 he was subsequently minister of foreign affairs, minister of mining and Bougainville, minister of foreign affairs and Bougainville affairs. He was leader of the opposition from 1968 to 1972, from 1980 to 1982, and thereafter in that position from 1985 to 1988, from 1992 to 1993, and finally from 2001 to 2002. When the new position of political governor as head of the provincial administration and representative MP was created in 1995, Somare took up the job. He was governor of East Sepik from 1995 until 1999.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1936 (1936-04-09): Birth of Michael Somare — Papua New Guinean politician, 'father of the nation,' and first PM after independence.
2. 1968: 1968 Milestone — His political career spanned from 1968 until his retirement in 2017.
3. 1975: 1975 Milestone — At the time of his death, Somare was also the longest-serving prime minister, having been in office for 17 years over three separate terms: from 1975 to 1980; from 1982 to 1985; and from 2002 to 2011.
4. 1982: 1982 Milestone — He returned to the office of Prime Minister from 1982 to 1985, and his longest stint in the position was from 2002 to 2011.
5. 1988: 1988 Milestone — He also served as Cabinet Minister: he was minister of foreign affairs from 1988 to 1992; from 1999 to 2001 he was subsequently minister of foreign affairs, minister of mining and Bougainville, minister of foreign affairs and Bougainville affairs.
6. 1995: 1995 Milestone — When the new position of political governor as head of the provincial administration and representative MP was created in 1995, Somare took up the job.
7. 2021 (2021-02-25): Passing & Historical Legacy — Michael Somare passed away on 2021-02-25, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Michael Somare

“I urge young leaders to learn what the Westminster system of government is meant to achieve.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Michael Somare

True or False: “Michael Somare's political base was primarily rooted in established national political parties rather than regional identity.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His political base was strongly rooted in East Sepik Province, which elected him, demonstrating a connection to regional identity.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. E. Housman — Contemporary (Died in 1936) (1936): English classicist and poet, renowned for his scholarship and melancholic verse.
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• Abdelaziz Bouteflika — Contemporary (Died in 2021) (2021): Algerian politician who served as the seventh President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019.
• Abdul Qadeer Khan — Contemporary (Died in 2021) (2021): Pakistani nuclear physicist, known as the 'father of Pakistan's atomic weapons program'
• A. H. M. Jones — Shared historical date (04-09 · Died) (1970): Pioneering British historian of classical antiquity, specializing in the later Roman Empire.
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• Albrecht von Wallenstein — Shared historical date (02-25 · Died) (1634): Bohemian military leader and statesman, key figure in the Thirty Years' War.
• Alexander Archipenko — Shared historical date (02-25 · Died) (1964): Ukrainian-American avant-garde sculptor, pioneer of Cubist human figures.
• 1936 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1936
• April 9 (04-09) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 9
• 2021 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2021
• February 25 (02-25) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 25

Frequently Asked Questions about Michael Somare