[1] An earlier division between Samar and Leyte happened in 1747 but was reversed in 1762 with the approval of the King of Spain, following complaints from the Jesuits.

On August 11, 1841, Queen Isabella II of Spain signed a Royal Decree declaring Samar as a province.

[2] In 1898, the Americans landed on the beach of Catarman and organized a revolutionary army led by General Vicente Lukban who fought the invaders armed with cannons and rifles with only bolos and paltiks.

On September 28, 1901, the Balangiga massacre during the Philippine–American War led to the deaths of 48 American soldiers, prompting General Jacob H. Smith to order them to turn Samar into a "howling wilderness."

On October 24, 1944, the Battle off Samar occurred and resulted in significant losses for both sides, but ultimately did not alter the course of the Philippines campaign.