[5] Together with Utirik, Ailinginae and Toke atolls, they were charted as Islas de los Reyes (Islands of the Three Wise Kings in Spanish) due to the proximity of Epiphany.

Following the end of World War II, Rongelap came under the control of the United States as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

March 1, 1954: United States detonates 15-megaton hydrogen bomb (Castle Bravo test) allegedly unaware that fallout will reach Rongelap.

1985: Rainbow Warrior makes three trips to evacuate the Rongelap community to Mejato and Ebeye islands in Kwajalein Atoll.

]finds that depending on dietary restrictions, 25 to 75% of Rongelap population would exceed the 100 mrem maximum annual exposure limit set.

[clarification needed] 2012: United States government (Barack Obama administration) reasserts its position that it has satisfactorily compensated Rongelap victims.

[4] Virtually all the inhabitants experienced severe radiation sickness, including itchiness, sore skin, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue.

[17][18] Six days after the Castle Bravo test, the U.S government set up a secret project to study the medical effects of the weapon on the residents of the Marshall Islands.

[19] The United States was subsequently accused of having used the inhabitants in medical research (without receiving consent) to study the effects of nuclear exposure.

In 1957, three years later, the United States government declared the area 'clean and safe' and allowed the islanders to return,[20] though they were told to stick to canned foods and avoid the northern islets of the atoll.

In 1984, Marshall Islands senator, Jeton Anjain approached the environmental group Greenpeace to seek their help in relocating the people of Rongelap and in 1985, 'Operation Exodus' took place.

Ebeye is significantly smaller than the islands of Rongelap, and joblessness, suicide, and overcrowding have proven to be problems following the resettlement.

In recent years, James Matayoshi, the mayor of Rongelap, claimed that the cleanup was successful and envisioned a new promising future for the inhabitants and for tourists.