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Chronological Chamoru Timeline: Historical Events in ChÅmoru History |
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(approx.) 2500 ~ 3000 B.C.E. -- |
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First Chamorus inhabit the archipelago of islands which are now known as the Marianas. Most decide to inhabit Guahan, Luta, Tinian, and Saipan. Chamorus were the first human inhabitants of what is present day the Marianas Islands. |
Mar 6, 1521 -- |
Recorded history is made when Chamorus spot the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magelland and his weak, starving and feeble men off the coast of Guahan. | |
Jun 16, 1668 -- |
A previously shipwrecked Spaniard by the name of Pedro brings Father San Vitores to the home of Maga'Lahen Quipuha (the chief of the village of Hagatna) to introduce the father to him. | |
1669 -- |
Maga'Lahi Hurao gathers an estimated force of over 2,000 Chamorus to drive out the Spaniards. | |
Apr 2, 1672 -- |
Father Diego Luis de San Vitores loses his life. Maga'Lahen Hirao splits Father San Vitores head down to the neck while Matapang transfixes a spear through the father's heart. | |
1695 -- |
Last and final battle of the Spanish-Chamorro wars was fought on the island of Aguijan. The Spanish intent towards conquest of the Mariana Islands literally accomplished for the most part in this decade. Almost all the Chamorus from the Northern Mariana Islands, with an exception of a few hiding in Luta, are forcibly relocated to Guahan. | |
1700 -- |
Spanish introduced influenza epidemic kills a many untold number of Chamorus. | |
1769 -- |
Augustinians replace the Spanish removed Jesuit Priests from the Mariana Islands. | |
1815 -- |
Spain establishes colonies of Caroline Islanders and Guahananian Chamorros on Saipan. Saipan is governed by Chamorro alcalde representing Spanish governor of Guahan | |
1817 ~ 1824 -- |
By order of the Spanish empire, controlling government for Guahan shifts from Viceroy of Mexico to the Captain General of the Philippines, In lieu of the shift, monetary support for Guahan from Mexico is reduced. It is noted that around this period, Guahan becomes a make-shift stopping place for Pacific whalers, which became a world industry in the 1820s. It is also documented that some Chamoru men join the whaling fleets, and subsequently learn "whalers' English." | |
1856 -- |
It is noted that Smallpox is introduced to Guahan by the American Schooner Frost. The impact as a result causes 3463 fatalities and leaving an estimated population of 4700 native Chamorus on the island. | |
Dec 10, 1898 -- |
Treaty of Paris is signed transferring reigning authority from the Spanish over to the Americans, making our island a "Territory" of the United States. | |
1898 -- |
Naval Captain Richard Leary begins term as first American governor of Guahan. Simaultaneously, all Spanish Crown lands are claimed for the U.S. Government. | |
1900 -- |
Severe typhoon followed by a tsunami kill 28 people at Inarajan. Government instigates policies to promote use and literacy of the English language. | |
1918 -- |
Destructive typhoon devastates many of the infrastructure on Guahan. | |
1920 -- |
The Naval Government of Guahan enacts an "English only" policy, beginning the decline of the Chamoru language. | |
Dec 17 1920 -- |
Japan is assigned League of Nations Class C mandate to govern the Northern Mariana Islands (and the Caroline and Marshall Islands) | |
1933 -- |
An estimated 2,000 Chamoru leaders sign a petition for U.S. citizenship and send it to President Theodore Roosevelt. During this process the U.S. Naval Controlling Govenrment rejects the petition, saying "Chamorro citizenship is not in the American public's best interest." | |
1938 -- |
Local history is made when Father Jesus B. Dueñas becomes the first ordained Chamoru priest on Guahan. | |
1940 -- |
Strongest recorded typhoon since 1918 strikes Guahan. | |
Dec 1941 -- |
Japan simaultaneously attacks Guahan and Pearl Harbor. Guahan is incorporated into Japan's Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, and is renamed Omiya Jima (Great Shrine Island). Nearly four years of Japanese occupation begins on Guahan. Bowing to Japanese by Chamorus becomes mandatory. Father Jesus B. Dueñas and two other priests are the only ordained religious leaders allowed to remain on Guahan. | |
1942 -- |
In Guahan, Japanese schools are established and English is banned. Two Chamorros are publicly executed to show that the death penalty will be imposed for petty offenses and that Japanese order will be complied. | |
1944 -- |
With the increasing arrival of U.S. Forces nearing Guahan, Japanes begin to herd Chamorus into concentration camps. It is at this point when atrocities against Chamorus peak with massacres at Merizo, Yigo, and Hagåtña. Father Jesus B. Dueñas is executed. U.S. Fleet Admiral Nimitz conducts the recapture of Guahan, and automatically becomes Governor of Guahan and the Mariana Islands. On July 21, 1944 U.S. forces defeat the Japanese on Guahan, and for the second time immediately regain controlling power of Guahan. Land aquisition by the U.S. military begins with the buildup of U.S. forces on Guahan, causing relocations of people and villages. | |
1946 -- |
With the U.S. Naval Government completely re-established on Guahan, the former subsistence economy used on the Island gives way to a new wage economy. | |
1947 -- |
Citizenship for Guahananians is supported by the Secretary of the Navy; subsequently Guahan achieves limited home rule for a period. | |
1949 -- |
Typhoon Alyn strikes Guahan. At this time the U.S. military either "owns" or occupies nearly 75% of Guahan's usable land area. Guahan Congress stages a walkout, and the transfer to a civilian government takes place. |
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Aug 1, 1950 -- |
Harry S. Truman signs the "Organic Act of Guahan." Truman wants to ensure that Guahan remains a Territory of the United States because of it's military strategic location in proximaty towards Asia. | |
1953 -- |
Typhoon Alice hits Guahan and causes extensive damage on the Island. | |
1962 -- |
Super Typhoon Karen hits with 255 mph winds, causing massive destruction. U.S. Congress approves $45 million for rehabilitation, and rebuilding of the Island's infrastructure. Note: lifting of security clearance on Guahan begins tourism boom. | |
Jan 1969 -- |
Carlos G. Camacho becomes the first "elected" Governor for Guahan. | |
1969 -- |
Though Northern Mariana voters seek reunification with Guahan, propoganda under the influence of U.S. Government from Washington D.C. causes Guahan voters reject the proposal. | |
May 1976 -- |
Supertyphoon Pamela with winds of up to 190 mph rips through Guahan and creates great devastation leaving in excess of 5,000 people homeless. It would take months, and in some cases years for islanders to recover. Government considers the devastation a "Federal Disaster Zone." | |
1977 -- |
A constitution for Guahan's self-government is completed. | |
1977 -- |
Typhoon Russ strikes Guahan around Christmas time. | |
Jul 1991 -- |
Nasion Chamoru is founded through a formal proclamation. | |
1996 -- |
Master belembaotuyan player Jesus Meno Crisostomo from Inarajan passes away at the age of 81. | |
Dec 1997 -- |
Super Typhoon Paka hits Guahan, again just like Typhoon Russ (Dec 1990) hits the Island around Christmas time with great devastation. | |
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Copyright 1998 ~ 2006 Tomas "Chedo" Benavente. Last revised on 17 Aug 2006. |
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