History of Guam in Timeline
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in Micronesia, 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, also being the largest island in Micronesia. Guam has a population of approximately 168,801 as of 2022. The Chamorro people are the largest ethnic group, though a minority on the island. Guam covers 210 square miles with a population density of 775 per square mile.
1901: U.S. Marine Corps Barracks Established at Sumay
In 1901, a United States Marine Corps barracks was established at Sumay.
1903: Trans-Pacific Communications Cable
In 1903, the Commercial Pacific Cable Company built a telegraph/telephone station for the first trans-Pacific communications cable.
December 10, 1914: SMS Cormoran Seeks Port
On December 10, 1914, the SMS Cormoran, a German armed merchant raider, was forced to seek port at Apra Harbor on Guam.
April 7, 1917: US Declares War
On April 7, 1917, Guam received word that the U.S. Congress had declared war on Germany, and the Naval Governor of Guam ordered the surrender of the SMS Cormoran.
1917: Internment of the Cormoran Crew
In 1917, the ship SMS Cormoran and her crew were interned on Guam after seeking port in 1914.
1921: Marine Seaplane Unit Stationed in Sumay
From 1921 to 1930, a marine seaplane unit was stationed in Sumay, the first in the Pacific.
1925: Rota Latte Stone Quarry Discovered
In 1925, the Rota Latte Stone Quarry, a possible source for latte stones, was discovered on Rota.
1930: Marine Seaplane Unit Leaves Sumay
From 1921 to 1930, a marine seaplane unit was stationed in Sumay, the first in the Pacific. This unit was discontinued in 1930.
December 8, 1941: Japanese Capture of Guam
On December 8, 1941, hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Guam was captured by the Japanese.
1941: Japanese Invasion
During World War II, the Empire of Japan attacked and invaded Guam in the 1941 Battle of Guam on December 8, at the same time as the attack on Pearl Harbor. The Japanese renamed Guam Ōmiya-jima (Great Shrine Island).
July 21, 1944: Liberation Day
On July 21, 1944, American forces recaptured Guam from the Japanese. This day is commemorated as Liberation Day.
1944: Battle of Guam
The United States returned and fought the 1944 Battle of Guam from July 21 to August 10, to recapture the island.
1950: Guam Organic Act
After World War II, the Guam Organic Act of 1950 established Guam as an unincorporated organized territory of the United States and granted the people U.S. citizenship.
October 15, 1953: Most Rainfall in a Single Day
The most rainfall in a single day occurred on October 15, 1953, when 15.48 inches or 393.2 millimeters fell.
1963: Security Clearance Removal
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 office of Governor.
June 1, 1969: First Guam Constitutional Convention
The first Guam Constitutional Convention met from June 1, 1969, through June 29, 1970, with 43 elected delegates.
1969: Referendum on unification with the Northern Mariana Islands rejected
In 1969, a referendum on unification with the Northern Mariana Islands was held and rejected.
June 29, 1970: First Guam Constitutional Convention
The first Guam Constitutional Convention met from June 1, 1969, through June 29, 1970, with 43 elected delegates.
1970: Hawksbill Sea Turtle Listed as Endangered
The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) has been on the endangered list since 1970.
April 18, 1971: Highest Temperature Recorded
The highest temperature ever recorded in Guam was 96 °F (35.6 °C) on April 18, 1971.
February 8, 1973: Lowest Recorded Temperature
The lowest recorded temperature was 65 °F (18.3 °C), set on February 8, 1973.
1975: Guam National Football Team Founded
The Guam national football team was founded in 1975.
1976: Wettest Calendar Year
1976 was the wettest calendar year with 131.70 inches (3,345.2 mm) of rainfall.
1976: Shift to Concrete Structures
Since Typhoon Pamela in 1976, wooden structures in Guam have been largely replaced by concrete structures.
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: Second Guam Constitutional Convention
The second Guam Constitutional Convention met periodically through October 31, 1977.
August 1978: Green Sea Turtle Listed as Threatened
The green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) was harvested legally on Guam before August 1978, when it was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
August 1979: Constitution Rejected
In August 1979, the people of Guam overwhelmingly rejected the proposed Constitution in a referendum.
1981: Average Rainfall Data Collection
Between 1981 and 2010, Guam's average annual rainfall was 98 inches or 2,490 millimeters.
1982: Plebiscite on Commonwealth Status
In 1982, voters on Guam indicated interest in seeking commonwealth status in a plebiscite.
1983: Pacific Community Member
Since 1983 Guam has been a member of the Pacific Community.
April 1, 1990: Highest Temperature Recorded
The highest temperature ever recorded in Guam was 96 °F (35.6 °C) on April 1, 1990.
August 8, 1993: Earthquake Occurs
An 8.2 magnitude earthquake occurred on August 8, 1993, but it was less powerful than an earthquake that occurred in 1849.
August 1997: Wettest Month on Record
August 1997 was the wettest month on record at Guam Airport with 38.49 inches (977.6 mm) of rainfall.
September 1997: DoDEA Opened Schools
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), with country code 671 becoming NANP area code 671.
1997: Commission on Decolonization Established
In 1997, a Commission on Decolonization was established to educate the people of Guam about political status options.
1997: Asian Financial Crisis and Typhoon Paka
The 1997 Asian financial crisis, which hit Japan particularly hard, severely affected Guam's tourism industry. Devastation from super typhoons Paka in 1997 also hampered economic recovery.
1998: Plebiscite on Decolonization Considered
Since 1998, Guam has been considering another non-binding plebiscite on decolonization.
1998: Driest Year on Record
The driest year on record was in 1998 with 57.88 inches (1,470.2 mm) of rainfall.
2000: Student Attendance
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: Economic Stability
The economy had been stable since 2000 due to increased tourism.
2002: Super Typhoon Pongsona
Economic recovery in Guam was further hampered by devastation from super typhoons Pongsona in 2002, as well as the effects of the September 11 terrorist attacks and the crash of Korean Air Flight 801 on tourism.
2003: Economic Challenges
In 2003, Guam faced a 14% unemployment rate and a $314 million budget shortfall.
2003: Amended COFA Enacted
In 2003, the amended Compacts of Free Association (COFA) was enacted, providing $30 million annually to Guam, Hawaii, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and forgiving $157 million of Guam's debt.
2004: Congressional Testimony
According to later US Congressional committee testimony in 2004, approximately 1,100 Chamorros were killed during the Japanese occupation.
2005: First Rugby Match
The Guam national rugby union team played its first match in 2005.
2007: Pacific Games
At the 2007 Games, Guam finished 7th of 22 countries in the medal count.
2008: Largest Private Sector Employer
As of 2008, Guam's largest single private sector employer with about 1,400 jobs, was Continental Micronesia, a subsidiary of Continental Airlines.
2009: First Victory
In 2009, the Guam national football team experienced their first victory over a FIFA-registered side.
February 2010: EPA Criticizes Military Buildup Plans
In February 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency sharply criticized the U.S. military's proposed buildup on Guam, citing concerns about water supply, sewage, and coral reefs.
2010: Religious Demographics
According to the Pew Research Center, the religious demography of Guam in 2010 was Christianity 95.9% (Catholic 75%, Protestant 15.8%), Folk Religions 0.7%, other religions 2.5% and unaffiliated 1.0%.
2010: Average Rainfall Data Collection
Between 1981 and 2010, Guam's average annual rainfall was 98 inches or 2,490 millimeters.
2010: Delay of Military Transfer
Previously expected between 2010 and 2015, the planned transfer of U.S. Marine Corps' 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam was delayed until late 2020.
2011: Pacific Games
At the 2011 Games, Guam finished 14th of 22 countries in the medal count.
2012: Internet Prices
In 2012, Slate stated that Guam has "tremendous bandwidth" and internet prices comparable to those of the U.S. Mainland.
2013: Commission Seeks Funding
In 2013, the Commission on Decolonization began seeking funding to start a public education campaign.
February 2015: Driest Month on Record
February 2015 was the driest month on record with 0.15 inches (3.8 mm) of rainfall.
2015: Hosted Qualifying Games
In 2015 Guam hosted qualifying games on the island for the first time.
2015: Delay of Military Transfer
Previously expected between 2010 and 2015, the planned transfer of U.S. Marine Corps' 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam was delayed until late 2020.
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.
May 2016: Commission Report
The Commission's May 2016 report states they are working with the University of Guam to create educational materials and the Governor's office is collaborating with them.
December 2016: Education Sessions Scheduled
In early December 2016, the Commission on Decolonization scheduled a series of education sessions in various villages.
2016: Guam Regional Medical City Opened
In early 2016, the Guam Regional Medical City, a private hospital, opened.
2018: First FIFA World Cup Qualifying Win
In 2018, the Guam national football team clinched their first FIFA World Cup Qualifying win.
2019: Unemployment Rate Decrease
As of 2019, Guam's unemployment rate had dropped to 6.1%.
2019: Pacific Games Basketball Champions
As of 2019, the Guam men's basketball team is the reigning champion of the Pacific Games Basketball Tournament.
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
In September 2020, Guam's unemployment rate rose to 17.9%.
2020: Catholic Population
In 2020, the Vatican claimed that 87.72% of the population was Catholic, with 54 priests and 64 nuns across 27 parishes.
2020: United States Census
In the 2020 United States census, the largest ethnic group were the native Chamorros, accounting for 32.8% of the population. Asians, including Filipinos, Koreans, Chinese, and Japanese, accounted for 35.5% of the population.
2020: Military Transfer
The planned transfer of U.S. Marine Corps' 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam began in late 2020.
February 1, 2021: Record Low Temperature
A record low of 69 °F (21 °C) was set on February 1, 2021.
September 2022: Unemployment Rate
In September 2022, the unemployment rate in Guam was 4.4%.
2022: Marine Corps Relocation
As of 2022, the Marine Corps has decided to place 5,000 Marines on Guam within the first half of the 2020s, with 1,300 already stationed on the base.
2022: Guam Population
In 2022, Guam's population was 168,801. Chamorros are its largest ethnic group, but a minority on the multiethnic island.
June 2023: Unemployment Rate Decrease
As of June 2023, Guam's unemployment rate had fallen to 4.0%.
September 2023: Unemployment Rate Increase
In September 2023, the unemployment rate in Guam was 4.1%, a slight increase from June.
2024: COFA Amended Again
In 2024, the Compacts of Free Association (COFA) was amended again to renew aid to the freely associated nations as well as Guam and other U.S. Pacific territories.
2025: Expected Completion of Military Transfer
The transfer of U.S. Marines from Okinawa to Guam is expected to be complete in 2025.
