Stamps for this island group were first issued 1911-1975 as the British colony Gilbert and Ellice Islands. Then in 1976 divided into two countries: a) Gilbert Islands (still as a British colony) issuing stamps 1976-1976 and b) Tuvalu, which issues its own stamps, first as a British Colony and then in 1978 as an independent country in the British Commonwealth. Kirabati became independent in 1979.