History of Guam in Timeline

Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. Hagåtña is its capital, while Dededo is its most populous village. It is the westernmost U.S. territory and the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands. Guam is also the largest island in Micronesia. The island's population in 2022 was about 168,801, with Chamorros being the largest ethnic group. Guam spans 210 square miles and has a population density of 775 per square mile.

1900: Typhoon of 1900

In 1900, Guam was struck by a major typhoon causing significant damage.

1901: Chamorro Leaders Petition for U.S. Citizenship

In 1901, Chamorro leaders began petitioning for U.S. citizenship and greater political autonomy, but these efforts were largely unsuccessful at the time.

December 10, 1914: SMS Cormoran Seeks Port at Apra Harbor

On December 10, 1914, the SMS Cormoran, a German armed merchant raider, sought port at Apra Harbor due to a shortage of coal.

April 7, 1917: US Declares War on Germany

On April 7, 1917, Guam received word that the U.S. Congress had declared war on Germany. The Naval Governor of Guam ordered the surrender of the SMS Cormoran and its crew, who were then taken as prisoners of war.

1917: Internment of SMS Cormoran Crew

In 1917, the crew of the SMS Cormoran were interned after the United States refused to provide sufficient provisions for the ship to reach a German port.

1925: Discovery of the Rota Latte Stone Quarry

In 1925, the Rota Latte Stone Quarry, a possible source for latte stones, was discovered on Rota.

1936: Delegates Petition for Chamorro Citizenship

In 1936, delegates Baltazar J. Bordallo and Francisco B. Leon Guerrero traveled to Washington, D.C., to petition for Chamorro citizenship, though substantial political reforms were not achieved.

December 8, 1941: Japanese Capture of Guam

On December 8, 1941, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Guam was captured by the Japanese forces.

1941: Japanese Invasion and Occupation of Guam

In 1941, during World War II, the Empire of Japan invaded and occupied Guam, renaming it Ōmiya-jima. The occupation lasted about 31 months and resulted in severe hardship for the Chamorro people.

July 21, 1944: American Recapture of Guam

On July 21, 1944, American forces recaptured Guam from the Japanese, an event commemorated as Liberation Day.

1944: United States Recaptures Guam

In 1944, from July 21 to August 10, the United States recaptured Guam in the Battle of Guam. This event is commemorated as Liberation Day on July 21.

1950: Guam Organic Act

In 1950, the Guam Organic Act established Guam as an unincorporated organized territory of the United States, providing for civilian government and granting U.S. citizenship, though without full rights.

October 15, 1953: Most Rainfall in a Single Day

On October 15, 1953, Guam experienced the most rainfall in a single day, with 15.48 inches or 393.2 millimeters.

1956: First Jury Trial in Guam

In 1956, the first jury trial was held in Guam, following mobilization due to the initial exclusion of the right to trial by jury in the Organic Act.

1962: Typhoon Karen

In 1962, Guam was struck by Typhoon Karen, causing major damage.

1963: Removal of Guam's Security Clearance

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy removed Guam's security clearance, which allowed for the development of a tourism industry.

1968: Guam Elective Governor Act

In 1968, the Guam Elective Governor Act provided for the popular election of the Governor of Guam, previously a federally appointed position.

1969: Referendum on Unification with Northern Mariana Islands

In 1969, a referendum was held in Guam regarding unification with the Northern Mariana Islands, but it was rejected.

1970: Hawksbill Sea Turtle Listed as Endangered

Since 1970, the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) has been on the endangered list.

April 18, 1971: Highest Recorded Temperature

On April 18, 1971, the highest temperature ever recorded in Guam was 96 °F (35.6 °C).

February 8, 1973: Lowest Recorded Temperature

On February 8, 1973, the lowest recorded temperature in Guam was 65 °F (18.3 °C).

1975: Guam Hosted the Pacific Games

Guam hosted the Pacific Games in 1975.

1975: Founding of Guam National Football Team

The Guam national football team was founded in 1975.

1976: Wettest Calendar Year

1976 was the wettest calendar year on record, with 131.70 inches (3,345.2 mm) of rainfall.

1976: Aftermath of Typhoon Pamela

Following Typhoon Pamela in 1976, wooden structures in Guam began to be largely replaced by concrete structures.

1976: Typhoon Pamela

In 1976, Guam was struck by Typhoon Pamela, causing major damage.

August 1978: Green Sea Turtle Listed as Threatened

In August 1978, the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, affecting legal harvesting practices on Guam.

1981: Average Annual Rainfall

Between 1981 and 2010, Guam's average annual rainfall was 98 inches or 2,490 millimeters.

1983: Guam Joins the Pacific Community

In 1983, Guam became a member of the Pacific Community.

April 1, 1990: Highest Recorded Temperature

On April 1, 1990, the highest temperature ever recorded in Guam was 96 °F (35.6 °C).

August 8, 1993: Severe Earthquake

On August 8, 1993, a powerful 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck Guam, though it was less devastating than previous seismic events.

1996: Guam Joins FIFA

The Guam national football team joined FIFA in 1996.

August 1997: Wettest Month on Record at Guam Airport

August 1997 was recorded as the wettest month at Guam Airport, with 38.49 inches (977.6 mm) of rainfall.

1997: Typhoon Paka

In 1997, Guam was struck by Typhoon Paka, causing major damage.

1997: Asian Financial Crisis and Typhoon Paka

In 1997, the Asian financial crisis, particularly in Japan, severely affected Guam's tourism industry. The island was also hit by super typhoon Paka.

1998: Driest Year on Record

In 1998 Guam experienced its driest year on record with 57.88 inches (1,470.2 mm) of rainfall.

1999: Guam Hosted the Pacific Games

Guam hosted the Pacific Games in 1999.

2002: Typhoon Pongsona

In 2002, Guam was struck by Typhoon Pongsona, causing major damage.

2004: Congressional Testimony on Chamorro Deaths

In 2004, testimony before a U.S. Congressional committee indicated that approximately 1,100 Chamorros were killed during the Japanese occupation of Guam during World War II.

2005: First Match of Guam National Rugby Team

The Guam national rugby union team played its first match in 2005.

2007: Guam's Performance at the 2007 Pacific Games

At the 2007 Pacific Games, Guam finished 7th out of 22 countries in the medal count.

2009: First Victory Over FIFA-Registered Side

In 2009, the Guam national football team experienced their first victory over a FIFA-registered side.

2010: Religious Demography

According to the Pew Research Center in 2010, the religious demography of Guam showed a significant Christian population.

2010: Average Annual Rainfall

Between 1981 and 2010, Guam's average annual rainfall was 98 inches or 2,490 millimeters.

2011: Guam's Performance at the 2011 Pacific Games

At the 2011 Pacific Games, Guam finished 14th in the medal count.

February 2015: Driest Month on Record at Guam Airport

February 2015 was recorded as the driest month at Guam Airport, with only 0.15 inches (3.8 mm) of rainfall.

2015: Guam Hosts Qualifying Games

In 2015, Guam hosted qualifying games for the first time.

2018: First FIFA World Cup-Qualifying Win

In 2018, the Guam national football team gained their first FIFA World Cup-qualifying win.

2019: Guam Men's Basketball Team Champions

As of 2019, the Guam men's national basketball team is the reigning champion of the Pacific Games Basketball Tournament.

2020: Catholic Population

In 2020, the Vatican claimed that 87.72% of the population of Guam was Catholic, served by 54 priests and 64 nuns across 27 parishes.

2020: 2020 United States Census Data

In the 2020 United States census, the largest ethnic group in Guam were the native Chamorros, accounting for 32.8% of the population, while Asians accounted for 35.5%.