During the 15th century, the area known today as Sabah (along with Sarawak and Brunei) was part of the Kingdom of Brunei.  This area was a major center of trade for China during this time.  Besides China, Islam also did trading in Brunei.

            During the 16th Century, the Kingdom of Brunei was explored by Pigafetta, visited by the Portuguese, and attacked by the Spanish.

            In the early 17th century, the Dutch visited the area south of Sabah and set up trading posts in Borneo.  Then in 1665, Captain Cowley was the first Englishman to visit Borneo.

            During the late 18th century, there were multiple attempts by the British to set up establishments and trading posts around the northern area of Borneo. The majority of these attempts failed and were eventually abandoned.

            Much of Northern Borneo was controlled by the British by the end of the 19th century.  All of the area became a protectorate of the British Empire by 1881, and remained so until the early 20th century.

            The Japanese Imperial Army came to control Sabah for three years between 1942 and 1945.  After this, in 1946 the area was made a British Crown Colony. 

            It was in 1963 when Sabah finally gained its independence and became a part of Malaysia.  It remains a part of Malaysia today. 

            For more information, check out a detailed history of Sabah .