Guam Discovery Day 2024 (Guam): Guam Discovery Day is observed annually on the initial Monday of March, which is March 4 this year. Opening ‘Mes Chamorro’ (or Chamorro Heritage Month), the occasion honors the day Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Guam for the very first time.
The village of Umatac serves as the venue for this occasion, which highlights the abundant cultural legacy of the Chamorro people via walking excursions of historical significance and a dramatic recreation of the expedition’s arrival on the island. On this day, Guam’s residents are encouraged to pay homage to and commemorate the island’s illustrious heritage and history.
Guam Discovery Day History
Guam, a United States-organized, unincorporated territory, is situated in the Micronesian area of the Pacific Ocean. The island and its inhabitants have withstood centuries of colonial rule. Chamorro, an indigenous people of Guam, established their first settlements on the island between 1500 and 1400 B.C. They continue to constitute the most populous ethnic group in Guam.
The Spanish formally took control of the island on January 26, 1565. As one of the two Spanish outposts in the Pacific beyond Indonesia, the colonial authority utilized Guam as a staging area for its fleet.
Established in 1970, Discovery Day is annually observed on the initial Monday of March to commemorate the Portuguese conquistador Magellan’s arrival in Guam on March 6, 1521. Over time, the emphasis of the holiday transitioned from the “discovery” of the pre-existing colonized island to the commemoration of the abundant cultural legacy of the indigenous inhabitants of Guam and the historical narrative of the nation. For this specific rationale, the occasion was redesignated as Guam History and Chamorro Heritage Day.
Formerly commemorating the onset of Guamanian colonization, the occasion has since evolved into an occasion to commemorate the Chamorro people about Mes Chamorro. The village of Umatac serves as the venue for this occasion, which highlights the abundant cultural legacy of the Chamorro people via heritage walking excursions and a dramatic recreation of Magellan’s arrival on the island.
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FAQs regarding Guam Discovery Day
Which faiths are adherents of in Guam?
Folk traditions and Buddhism are also observed in Guam, even though Christianity constitutes 94% of the population.
What is the comparative size of Guam and Hawaii?
Hawaii is approximately 0.02 times the extent of Guam.
What is the native tongue of Guam?
Guam is a bilingual island where English and Chamorro coexist.
Guam Discovery Day 2024 (Guam) Activities
Learn more about Guamanian history.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the profound historical roots that shape contemporary Guamese culture, it is imperative to acquire knowledge of the island’s past. You might pick up a book on the subject and begin reading!
Attempt to comprehend the effects of colonialism.
Colonialism and imperialism have wreaked havoc on innumerable indigenous communities, including the Chamorro of Guam. We recommend attempting to comprehend the effect it has had on individuals throughout the world.
Contribute to Guamanian nonprofits
Numerous philanthropic organizations are exerting incessant effort to better the lives of Guamanians. Look up a few and, if possible, donate.
Five Essential Facts Regarding Guam
Asians make up one-third of the Guamani population.
People with Asian ancestry make up the majority of the population in Guam, particularly Filipinos and Koreans.
The island is devoid of topsoil.
Coral covers the coastlines of Guam as opposed to sand.
Guamanians are not eligible to vote.
Although Guam-born individuals are considered citizens of the United States, neither they nor their congressional delegates have the right to vote in congressional proceedings or elect presidents.
The nearest U.S. territory to Asia is Guam.
East Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea can be reached via flight in approximately 3.5 hours, making Guam the most geographically adjacent U.S. territory to Asia.
SPAM is most extensively consumed in Guam.
“TIME” magazine has determined that Guam has the highest SPAM consumption per capita in the globe.
GUAM DISCOVERY DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | March 4 | Monday |
| 2025 | March 3 | Monday |
| 2026 | March 2 | Monday |
