When was the first ukulele made?

The first ukulele was made in 1879 by Manuel Nunes, a Portuguese cabinetmaker living in Honolulu, Hawaii. Nunes was inspired by the Portuguese machete, a small guitar-like instrument, and the cavaquinho, a ukulele-like instrument from Madeira. He created the first ukulele by modifying a machete, giving it a smaller body and adding four strings.