- Christianity came to Tuvalu in 1861 when Elekana, a deacon of a Congregational church in Manihiki, Cook Islands became caught in a storm and drifted in a canoe for 8 weeks before landing at Nukulaelae on 10 May 1861.
- Trading companies were active in Tuvalu from about 1850 to 1910; the companies engaged palagi traders who lived on the islands. The last of the palagi traders were Fred Whibley on Niutao, Alfred Restieaux on Nukufetau and Martin Kleis on Nui.