| 1859 | Captain Brooks of Honolulu first visits the atoll |
| 1867 | U.S. government annexes the islets |
| 1903 | The Navy assumes control and names Commercial Pacific Cable Company island custodian |
| 1935 | Pan American World Airways' begins overnight stops on Trans-Pacific Flying Clipper seaplane service |
| 1941 | U.S. commissions Naval Air Station Midway |
| 1942 | The Battle of Midway turns the tide of the war in the Pacific |
| 1969 | President Nixon and South Vietnam President Thieu meet in secret to discuss an end to the Vietnam War |
| 1988 | Overlay National Wildlife Refuge designation is established |
| 1993 | Naval Air Facility Midway closes; environmental clean up begins |
| 1996 | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assumes jurisdiction |
| 2000 | Aloha Airlines begins regularly scheduled service |
The Flying Clippers