The Mariana Islands -- often referred to as the Marianas -- is a chain of 15 islands with only about five being inhabited. Over many hundreds of years, the islands have been known by various names. (See Names of the Islands) 

The islands are grouped into two geopolitical entities -- the 14 northern islands (including the more well known islands of Rota, Tinian and Saipan) make up the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI); the southern most island of Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States.

Explore a brief chronological history of the entire island chain based on various accounts by different individuals/sources. View the Full List of Sources used throughout this website.



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BCE = Before Common Era
(Refers to periods of time also most commonly referred to as BC - Before Christ)

3000 - 1700

- The indigenous Chamorros migrate to the Mariana Islands from Southeast Asia


CE = Common Era
(Refers to periods of time also most commonly referred to as AD - Anno Domini or Year of the Lord)

1000

- Chamorros developed latte, comprised of a stone pillar and a stone capstone. It is believed that these structures were used a building foundations.
("Guampedia's Micronesia and World Milestones: A Journey through 4,000 Years," Guampedia (www.guampedia.com). Accessed online: 3/13/2021)

1494

- Treaty of Tordesillas is signed by Pope Alexander VI, dividing the world between Spain and Portugal. The Mariana Islands are placed on the Spanish side.
("Guampedia's Micronesia and World Milestones: A Journey through 4,000 Years," Guampedia (www.guampedia.com). Accessed online: 3/13/2021)

1521

- Arrival of Magellan on Guam - Named the islands "Ladrones" (Thieves' Islands).
(The Mariana Islands, Marche, pg. 3)

1563

- Admiral Miguel Lopez de Legaspi left Mexico. During his brief stop in the Marianas, he "... took possession of them in the name of the king of Spain...."
(The Mariana Islands, Marche, pgs. 3-4)

1565

- Spain officially claims Saipan.
(U.S. National Park Service - www.nps.gov)

1665

- The name Mariana Islands was imposed on the archipelago by the Spanish to honor the Queen Regent Mariana of Austria.
(History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales, S.J. and Le Gobien, .SJ., pg. 1)

1668

- Spain establishes permanent presence with arrival of Jesuit father Diego Luis de Sanvitores and other members of the same religious society.
(The Mariana Islands, Marche, pg. 4)

1669

- The Colegio de San Juan de Letran, a boy's school or seminary, is established in Hagatna by Father San Vitores.
("Guampedia's Micronesia and World Milestones: A Journey through 4,000 Years," Guampedia (www.guampedia.com). Accessed online: 3/18/2021)

1671

- Guam 's native Chamorro Hurao leads the first Chamorro rebellion against the Spanish.
(History of the Mariana Islands, de Morales, S.J. and Le Gobien, .SJ., pg. 9)

1681

- Control of the Marianas is transferred from the Church to a Spanish governor. Spanish Captain Antonio Saravia was appointed the first official Military Head Commander (later governor) of Guam upon the authority of King Charles II of Spain.
("Guampedia's Micronesia and World Milestones: A Journey through 4,000 Years," Guampedia (www.guampedia.com). Accessed online: 3/13/2021)

1709 - 1713*

- "The first epidemic mentioned happened between 1709 and 1713 (if these two years do not deal with two different epidemics)."

1815*

- RECONSTRUCT timeline re Saipan, Carolinians and leper colonies.

1879

- Escuela de Ninas, the first school for girls, opens in Guam. The teachers are paid from an endowment from Queen Mariana of Austria, Spain's queen regent.
("Guampedia's Micronesia and World Milestones: A Journey through 4,000 Years," Guampedia (www.guampedia.com). Accessed online: 3/18/2021)

1898

- Jun 21 -- Guam is "surrendered" by the Spanish government (by Governor Juan Marina) to the United States represented by Captain Henry Glass, U.S.N., commander of the U.S.S. Charleston.
(Farrell, Don A., The Pictorial History of Guam: The Americanization 1898-1918, p. 29)

- Dec 23 -- Executive Order 108-A issued by U.S. President McKinley places Guam under the control of the U.S. Navy.
(Farrell, Don A., The Pictorial History of Guam: The Americanization 1898-1918, p. 41)

1899

- After losing the Spanish-American War, Spain sold the Marianas (excluding Guam) to Germany.
(U.S. National Park Service - www.nps.gov)

1914

- Japan assumes control of the Marianas (excluding Guam).
(U.S. National Park Service - www.nps.gov)

1941*

- December 8 -- Japanese attacked Guam after attacking Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

- December 10 -- Japanese forces invaded Guam. The defenders were quickly overpowered, and at 7 a.m. that day, McMillin surrendered.

1950

- The Organic Act of 1950 conferred U.S. citizenship on Guamanians and established the territory's government. The Act also transferred federal jurisdiction over Guam from the U.S. Navy to the Department of the Interior.
(U.S. Department of the Interior - www.doi.gov)

1975

- The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) emerged from the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) which the U.S. administered on behalf of the United Nations from 1947. The federal law (the Convenant) making the CNMI a U.S. territory passed in 1975.
(U.S. Department of the Interior - www.doi.gov)

1977

- The CNMI adopted its constitution and its first constitutional government took office in 1978.
(U.S. Department of the Interior - www.doi.gov)