h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

OK, I am declaring this QI ended. You may now search on the subject without penalty. What follows is about the extra credit puzzle. I myself found it quite interesting.

On June 8, 1937, Kanton and Enderby were the site of a total solar eclipse and the island of Kanton (then Canton) was occupied briefly by American and New Zealand scientists, members of an expedition organized by the National Geographic Society and led by the astronomer Samuel Alfred Mitchell. During this time, the American party claimed the island for the United States, erecting a small monument with two American flags. According to one account, the British warship HMS Wellington fired a shot across the bow of the USS Avocet, when the latter refused to cede the choicest anchorage spot to the British vessel.[13] The American ship allegedly responded in kind, following which both captains agreed to "cease fire" until instructions could be received from their respective governments. Washington and London quickly ordered no further escalation, and both parties observed the solar eclipse together, "though officially a bit cool." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanton_Island)
For awhile the Islands of Kanton and Enderby were managed jointly by the US and UK.
Sovereignty was transferred to the Independent Nation of Kiribati in the 1980s.
Until Samoa changed sides, the nations of Kiribati and Samoa were on opposite sides of the International dateline, and Kiribati was the first nation to enter the 21st Century.

scoring
Baron Grim (post 16 correct) +3
Klaxons none
extra Credit none
Elf Bonus shagbark +2