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 the most populous village. Guam represents the westernmost point and territory of the U.S. and is the largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands and the largest in Micronesia. As of 2022, Guam's population was 168,801, with Chamorros being the largest ethnic group. The territory covers 210 square miles and has a population density of 775 per square mile.

1900: Typhoon of 1900

In 1900, a devastating typhoon caused major damage on Guam.

1901: Establishment of Marine Corps barracks at Sumay

In 1901, a United States Marine Corps barracks was established at Sumay, Guam.

1903: Telegraph/telephone station built by Commercial Pacific Cable Company

In 1903, the Commercial Pacific Cable Company built a telegraph/telephone station in Guam for the first trans-Pacific communications cable.

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 on Guam due to a coal shortage.

April 7, 1917: US Declares War on Germany

On the morning of April 7, 1917, word reached Guam that the U.S. Congress had declared war on Germany, leading to the attempted surrender of the Cormoran.

1917: Internment of SMS Cormoran crew

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

1921: Marine seaplane unit stationed in Sumay

In 1921, a marine seaplane unit, the first in the Pacific, was stationed in Sumay, Guam.

1925: Discovery of Rota Latte Stone Quarry

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

1930: End of Marine seaplane unit in Sumay

In 1930, the marine seaplane unit stationed in Sumay since 1921 was discontinued.

December 8, 1941: Guam captured by the Japanese

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

1941: Japanese Invasion of Guam

In 1941, during World War II, the Empire of Japan attacked and invaded Guam in the Battle of Guam on December 8, coinciding with the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese renamed Guam Ōmiya-jima.

July 21, 1944: American forces recaptured Guam

On July 21, 1944, American forces recaptured Guam from the Japanese. This date is commemorated as Liberation Day.

1944: Battle of Guam

In 1944, from July 21 to August 10, the United States fought the Battle of Guam to recapture the island from Japanese forces.

1950: Guam Organic Act

In 1950, the Guam Organic Act established Guam as an unincorporated organized territory of the United States, provided for the structure of its civilian government, and granted U.S. citizenship to the people.

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 falling.

1962: Typhoon Karen

In 1962, Typhoon Karen caused major damage on Guam.

1963: Removal of Guam's security clearance

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy removed Guam's security clearance, allowing 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.

June 1, 1969: First Guam Constitutional Convention

The first Guam Constitutional Convention, funded by the 10th Guam Legislature, convened on June 1, 1969.

1969: Referendum on unification with the Northern Mariana Islands

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

June 29, 1970: Completion of First Guam Constitutional Convention

The first Guam Constitutional Convention met from June 1, 1969 through June 29, 1970.

1970: Hawksbill sea turtle on the endangered list

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

April 18, 1971: Highest temperature recorded

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: Typhoon Pamela

In 1976, Typhoon Pamela caused major damage on Guam.

1976: Typhoon Pamela Impact on Construction

Since Typhoon Pamela in 1976, wooden structures have been largely replaced by concrete structures on Guam.

1976: Wettest calendar year

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

July 1, 1977: Second Guam Constitutional Convention

The second Guam Constitutional Convention was convened on July 1, 1977, to create a constitution for Guam.

October 31, 1977: End of Second Guam Constitutional Convention

The Second Guam Constitutional Convention met periodically from July 1, 1977 through October 31, 1977.

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 on Guam.

August 1979: Rejection of Constitution

In August 1979, the people of Guam overwhelmingly rejected the Constitution in a referendum.

1981: Start of rainfall data collection

From 1981, Guam's average annual rainfall was measured.

1982: Plebiscite on Commonwealth Status

In 1982, voters in Guam indicated interest in seeking commonwealth status through a plebiscite.

1983: Member of the Pacific Community

Since 1983, Guam has been a member of the Pacific Community.

April 1, 1990: Highest temperature recorded

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 severe earthquake of magnitude 8.2 occurred on Guam, though it was less powerful than the earthquake of 1849.

1996: Guam joins FIFA

In 1996, the Guam national football team joined FIFA.

August 1997: Wettest month on record at Guam Airport

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

September 1997: DoDEA Schools Opened

In September 1997, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) opened its own schools for children of military personnel in Guam.

1997: Guam Added to NANP

In 1997, Guam was added to the North American Numbering Plan (NANP), removing the barrier of high-cost international long-distance calls to the continental U.S.

1997: Typhoon Paka

In 1997, Typhoon Paka caused major damage on Guam.

1997: Establishment of Commission on Decolonization

In 1997, a Commission on Decolonization was established to educate the people of Guam about political status options.

1997: Asian financial crisis and Super Typhoon Paka

In 1997, the Asian financial crisis, particularly affecting Japan, severely impacted Guam's tourism industry, and the island was also hit by Super Typhoon Paka.

1998: Consideration of Plebiscite

Since 1998, Guam has been considering another non-binding plebiscite on decolonization.

1998: Driest year on record

The year 1998 was the driest year on record in Guam, with 57.88 inches (1,470.2 mm) of rainfall.

1999: Guam hosted the Pacific Games

Guam hosted the Pacific Games in 1999.

2000: Guam Public School Enrollment

In 2000, 32,000 students attended Guam's public schools, including 26 elementary schools, eight middle schools, and six high schools and alternative schools.

2000: Economy Stability

In 2000, Guam's economy had been stable due to increased tourism.

2000: DoDEA School Attendance

In 2000, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools in Guam had an attendance of 2,500 students.

2002: Super Typhoon Pongsona

In 2002, Guam's economic recovery was further hampered by devastation from Super Typhoon Pongsona, as well as the effects of the September 11 terrorist attacks and the crash of Korean Air Flight 801 on tourism.

2003: Unemployment Rate and Budget Shortfall

In 2003, Guam had a 14% unemployment rate and the government suffered a $314 million budget shortfall.

2003: Amended COFA Enacted

In 2003, the amended COFA was enacted, providing 30 million dollars annually to Guam, Hawaii, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and forgiving 157 million dollars of Guam's debt.

2004: US Congressional committee testimony

In 2004, during US Congressional committee testimony, it was revealed that approximately 1,100 Chamorros were killed during the Japanese occupation of Guam.

2005: First match of Guam national rugby union team

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

2007: 2007 Pacific Games

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

2008: Continental Micronesia as Largest Employer

As of 2008, Continental Micronesia, a subsidiary of Continental Airlines, was Guam's largest single private sector employer with about 1,400 jobs.

2009: First victory over FIFA-registered side

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

February 2010: EPA Criticism of Military Buildup Plans

In February 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency criticized plans for a new aircraft carrier berth and the relocation of Marines to Guam due to concerns about water, sewage, and coral reefs.

2010: Pew Research Center demography

According to the Pew Research Center, the religious demography of Guam in 2010 was researched.

2010: Planned Transfer of U.S. Marine Corps

In 2010, there was a planned transfer of U.S. Marine Corps' 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam, which was later delayed.

2010: End of rainfall data collection

Until 2010, Guam's average annual rainfall was measured to be 98 inches or 2,490 millimeters.

2011: 2011 Pacific Games

At the 2011 Pacific Games, Guam finished 14th of 22 countries in the medal count.

2012: Internet Bandwidth

In 2012, it was reported that Guam had "tremendous bandwidth" and internet prices comparable to those of the U.S. Mainland due to being at the junction of undersea cables.

2013: Commission Seeking Funding

In 2013, the Commission on Decolonization began seeking funding to start a public education campaign.

February 2015: Driest month on record at Guam Airport

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

2015: Initial Expected Completion Date

2015 was the initially expected completion date for the transfer of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam, but the move was delayed.

2015: Guam hosted qualifying games

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

May 2016: Grant Approved for Decolonization Education

In May 2016, the United States Department of the Interior approved a $300,000 grant for decolonization education in Guam.

May 2016: Commission Report on Education Materials

The Commission on Decolonization's May 2016 report indicated collaboration with the University of Guam and the Governor's Office to create educational materials.

December 2016: Education Sessions Scheduled

In early December 2016, the Commission on Decolonization scheduled a series of education sessions about Guam's relationship with the U.S.

2016: Guam Regional Medical City Opened

In early 2016, a private hospital, the Guam Regional Medical City, opened in Guam.

2018: First FIFA World Cup Qualifying win

In 2018, the Guam national football team clinched their first FIFA World Cup Qualifying win.

2019: Guam men's basketball team champion of the Pacific Games Basketball Tournament

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

2019: Unemployment Rate Decrease

As of 2019, the unemployment rate in Guam had dropped to 6.1%.

July 31, 2020: Government of Guam Joins UNPO

On July 31, 2020, the Government of Guam joined the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO).

September 2020: Unemployment Rate Increase

By September 2020, the unemployment rate in Guam had risen again to 17.9%.

2020: Vatican Statistics

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

2020: Delayed Marine Transfer

In late 2020, the move of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam was delayed until this time.

2020: 2020 United States census

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