Every year on May 10, Micronesia celebrates Constitution Day, and we’re giving you the lowdown on everything from their country to their cuisine to — you guessed it — their constitution. This relatively small nation consists of more than 600 islands, has four regional languages, more than nine ethnic groups, and a population of 104,448. But we are here to commemorate the adoption of their constitution, which occurred in 1979, the same year that the U.S. Voyager One spacecraft captured the first images of Jupiter’s rings.
HISTORY OF MICRONESIA CONSTITUTION DAY
Micronesia, also known as the Federated States of Micronesia, is an island nation in the western Pacific comprising four states, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae, from west to east. There are 607 islands in the states, which is more than 600 islands pertaining to a single nation. Additionally, they are renowned for having one of the most diverse and peculiar constitutions in the world.
In May 1979, the Federated States of Micronesia used for the first time its constitution, which had been drafted in June 1975 and is regarded as the nation’s supreme law. It was ratified on October 1, 1978, and went into effect on May 10, 1979, which became Constitution Day in Micronesia. Their constitution is based on the United States, Micronesia’s former trustee. In contrast to the United States, however, it has a unicameral legislature, which consists of a single body or assembly that legislates and votes as one.
Their particular unicameral legislature is called the national congress, and it consists of fourteen senators. Four of them represent the four states for four-year terms, while the remaining ten are divided by population and serve two-year terms. The National Congress is also responsible for electing the President and Vice President. Micronesia commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of its constitution with a national holiday.
Mother Ocean Day 2023 (US): Date, History, Importance (newsd.in)
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MICRONESIA
Typhoons are frequent in the region.
Numerous powerful typhoons have struck Micronesia, including Typhoons Chataan in 2002 and Sudal in 2004, which both caused significant infrastructure damage to the island of Yap.
Their flag symbolises their respective nations and the ocean.
The flag of Micronesia consists of four white stars centred on a blue background, which represents the Pacific Ocean.
It is one of the oldest humanitarian airlifts in the globe.
Since 1952, Operation Christmas Drop, the world’s longest-running humanitarian airlift, has transported Christmas gifts and humanitarian assistance to Micronesia as part of a military training mission.
Micronesia continues to collaborate with the U.S.
In exchange for military bases, the United States provides aid and is responsible for Micronesia’s defence as a former U.S. territory.
The property is historic
In 1944, American forces sank over sixty Japanese warships in Micronesia’s Truk Lagoon.
MICRONESIA CONSTITUTION DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 10 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | May 10 | Friday |
| 2025 | May 10 | Saturday |
| 2026 | May 10 | Sunday |
| 2027 | May 10 | Monday |
