How was the current Dali Lama chosen?

The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, was chosen through a traditional process of reincarnation. After the 13th Dalai Lama's death in 1933, Tibetan officials and lamas searched for his reincarnation, following signs and visions. In 1937, a young boy from a Tibetan village was identified as the reincarnation after passing various tests, including recognizing items belonging to the previous Dalai Lama. He was formally enthroned in 1940, becoming the 14th Dalai Lama.