Timeline of Northern Mariana Islands

Chronology

8 events spanning the history of Northern Mariana Islands. BCE/CE dating.

1. 1521

   Magellan made landfall at the island of Guam in the Marianas.

   Magellan made landfall at the island of Guam in the Marianas.

2. 1810

   A typhoon devastated the Caroline Islands, 500 miles south of the Marianas.

   A typhoon devastated the Caroline Islands, 500 miles south of the Marianas. The survivors sailed to Guam but only half survived.

3. 1898

   Guam became a US territory.

   Guam became a US territory.

4. 1944

   The Battle of the Philippine Sea.

   The Battle of the Philippine Sea (Battle of the Marianas), called the "Marianas Turkey Shoot," began when Japanese naval forces attacked the stronger U.S. naval forces. 280 Japanese planes were shot down by U.S. carrier- based planes and anti-aircraft fire from U.S. ships. Americans shoot down 220 Japanese planes while only losing 20.

5. 1944

   U.S. troops completed the liberation of Guam.

   U.S. troops completed the liberation of Guam.

6. 1980

   Tourism and apparel manufacturing became huge industries on Saipan.

   Tourism and apparel manufacturing became huge industries on Saipan. Foreign contract workers began to outnumber the locals.

7. 1986

   The Chamorros and Carolinians of the Northern Marianas were given US citizenship.

   The Chamorros and Carolinians of the Northern Marianas were given US citizenship.

8. 2002

   Typhoon Pongsona hit Guam with wind gusts of more than 180 mph.

   Typhoon Pongsona hit Guam with wind gusts of more than 180 mph. The U.S. territory was declared a federal disaster area.