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The question of the origin of the Chamorro race has never been settled to the satisfaction of ethnologists, but archeological evidence indicates that the ancient Chamorros were of Indo-Malayan descent. Linguistic and cultural similarities tie the Chamorro race to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. While the Chamorros settled throughout the Marianas archipelago, they flourished as an advanced fishing, horticultural, and hunting society. Chamorros were expert seamen and skilled craftsmen who built unique houses and canoes suited to this region of the world. They were also familiar with intricate weaving and detailed pottery making.
Guam possessed a strong matriarchal society, and it was through the power and prestige of the women and much of the Chamorro culture, including the language, music, dance, and traditions, was able to survive.
Dawn of the American Era
Although the Spanish maintained control on Guam and in the Mariana islands for 333 years, the island was ceded to the United States following the Spanish American War of 1898. A year later, in 1899, the U.S. formally purchased Guam and other Spanish-held territories for $20 million. U.S. President William McKinley issued an executive order placing Guam within the administration of the Department of Navy. Under the U.S. naval government, many changes and improve occurred, including agriculture, public health and sanitation, education, land management, taxes, and public works. The U.S. Navy continued to use Guam as a coaling and communication station until 1941, when the island fell to invading Japanese forces shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Japanese Occupation
On December 10, 1941, Guam surrendered to the Japanese South Seas detachment forces after a valiant defensive struggle by the island's Insular Force Guard. For 31 months, the people of Guam were forcibly subjected to the Japanese lifestyle. Guam was renamed 'Omiya Jima' or Great Shrine Island and was brought under Japan's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Control of the island was eventually transferred to the Japanese Navy in 1942. Some measure of religious practice and business activities were permitted during this brief time period.
Return of American Era
On July 21, 1944, known locally as Liberation Day, American forces landed on Guam; three weeks of bitter war claimed thousands of Chamorro, American, and Japanese lives before the island was declared safe and once again under American rule.
The island's strategic position was quickly recognized by the American military and was used as a command post for U.S. Western Pacific operations until the conclusion of the Second World War in the Pacific Theater on September 2, 1945.
On May 30, 1946, the naval government was reestablished. Three years later in 1949, U.S. President Harry S. Truman signed the Organic Act, making Guam an unincorporated territory with limited self-governing authority.
The Act declared that America's newly won territory would be called Guam; a civilian government with three branches-executive, legislative, and judicial-was established; and, United States citizenship was granted to the people of Guam.
By 1962, the U.S. Navy lifted the World War II security clearance requirement for travel to and from Guam, allowing Guam's economy to flourish.
Since the advent of Guam's tourism in 1967, when Pan American Airways inaugurated service from Japan, the islanders economy has continued to diversify and expand.
In addition to increased military expenditures, tourism, and related businesses construction, retailing, banking and financial services-a revamped economy my played a significant role in providing jobs for local residents, while offering business options our cosmopolitan society has come to expect.
Guam's rich historical legacy serves as the framework for which the future development of the island depends upon.
Magnificent luxury hotels, a wealth of fine restaurants, and fabulous duty free shopping have established Guam as the Premier destination in the western Pacific, international and commuter airlines make the Antonio Borja Won Pat Guam International Air Terminal a bustling hub of activity.
Presently, regular flights connect Guam with numerous Asia/Pacific countries, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines, as well as Nauru, the neighboring Micronesian islands, and the United States.
Each year, Guam receives a record number of visitors. Throngs of leisure-seeking visitors come to experience the island's beautiful seas, tropical lifestyle, and year-round warmth. International travelers make Guam a frequent stop-over for trips to Asia or Pacific points of interest.
According to the 1995 Visitors Golf Course Plant Inventory Report, Guam recorded 6,755 hotel rooms, with an additional 391 under construction; 17,626 rooms are in the planning stage.
The major components of the island's economy are the territorial government, tourism, U.S. military, and construction. Of course, tourism is the fastest growing sector.
Guam possessed a strong matriarchal society, and it was through the power and prestige of the women and much of the Chamorro culture, including the language, music, dance, and traditions, was able to survive.
Dawn of the American Era
Although the Spanish maintained control on Guam and in the Mariana islands for 333 years, the island was ceded to the United States following the Spanish American War of 1898. A year later, in 1899, the U.S. formally purchased Guam and other Spanish-held territories for $20 million. U.S. President William McKinley issued an executive order placing Guam within the administration of the Department of Navy. Under the U.S. naval government, many changes and improve occurred, including agriculture, public health and sanitation, education, land management, taxes, and public works. The U.S. Navy continued to use Guam as a coaling and communication station until 1941, when the island fell to invading Japanese forces shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Japanese Occupation
On December 10, 1941, Guam surrendered to the Japanese South Seas detachment forces after a valiant defensive struggle by the island's Insular Force Guard. For 31 months, the people of Guam were forcibly subjected to the Japanese lifestyle. Guam was renamed 'Omiya Jima' or Great Shrine Island and was brought under Japan's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Control of the island was eventually transferred to the Japanese Navy in 1942. Some measure of religious practice and business activities were permitted during this brief time period.
Return of American Era
On July 21, 1944, known locally as Liberation Day, American forces landed on Guam; three weeks of bitter war claimed thousands of Chamorro, American, and Japanese lives before the island was declared safe and once again under American rule.
The island's strategic position was quickly recognized by the American military and was used as a command post for U.S. Western Pacific operations until the conclusion of the Second World War in the Pacific Theater on September 2, 1945.
On May 30, 1946, the naval government was reestablished. Three years later in 1949, U.S. President Harry S. Truman signed the Organic Act, making Guam an unincorporated territory with limited self-governing authority.
The Act declared that America's newly won territory would be called Guam; a civilian government with three branches-executive, legislative, and judicial-was established; and, United States citizenship was granted to the people of Guam.
By 1962, the U.S. Navy lifted the World War II security clearance requirement for travel to and from Guam, allowing Guam's economy to flourish.
Since the advent of Guam's tourism in 1967, when Pan American Airways inaugurated service from Japan, the islanders economy has continued to diversify and expand.
In addition to increased military expenditures, tourism, and related businesses construction, retailing, banking and financial services-a revamped economy my played a significant role in providing jobs for local residents, while offering business options our cosmopolitan society has come to expect.
Guam's rich historical legacy serves as the framework for which the future development of the island depends upon.
Magnificent luxury hotels, a wealth of fine restaurants, and fabulous duty free shopping have established Guam as the Premier destination in the western Pacific, international and commuter airlines make the Antonio Borja Won Pat Guam International Air Terminal a bustling hub of activity.
Presently, regular flights connect Guam with numerous Asia/Pacific countries, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, and the Philippines, as well as Nauru, the neighboring Micronesian islands, and the United States.
Each year, Guam receives a record number of visitors. Throngs of leisure-seeking visitors come to experience the island's beautiful seas, tropical lifestyle, and year-round warmth. International travelers make Guam a frequent stop-over for trips to Asia or Pacific points of interest.
According to the 1995 Visitors Golf Course Plant Inventory Report, Guam recorded 6,755 hotel rooms, with an additional 391 under construction; 17,626 rooms are in the planning stage.
The major components of the island's economy are the territorial government, tourism, U.S. military, and construction. Of course, tourism is the fastest growing sector.
