HINALOM AMERIKÅNU TÅTTE
AMERICANS RETURN 1944-1945
I TINITUHON I GEBIETNAMENTON SIBÍT
THE BEGINNING OF CIVIL RULE
CHamorus were granted a civilian government through the Organic Act after nearly three centuries of foreign military rule. In 1949, Carlton Skinner was appointed by President Harry Truman as our first civilian governor. The following year, the District Court of Guam was established and the first Guam Legislature was convened.
MA AGONKÅHAT GUAHǺN
THE REBUILDING OF GUAM
Between 1945 and 1950, the massive military buildup created a job demand that could not be met by CHamoru workers. The Navy began importing foreign labor, mostly from the Philippines. Some construction workers also came from the neighboring islands. Many of our people were employed in service sector jobs.
I HINASSON MINAGOF YAN TRINISTE SIHA
BITTERSWEET MEMORIES
The first Liberation Day on July 21, 1945, was organized by Agueda Iglesias Johnston to encourage healing and rebirth. A solemn procession was led by the statue of Santa Marian Kamalen.
By the 1950s, Liberation Day became more festive, with a parade that celebrated CHamoru loyalty to America.
I TINILAIKAN I LINA’LÅ’-TA GINEN I NINA’SIÑAN MAISA ASTA I SUETDO NA FONDON IKONOMIHA
FROM SUBSISTENCE TO A WAGE-BASED ECONOMY
Farming was difficult due to the widespread devastation and the taking of lands for new military bases. Our families were forced to seek other ways to make a living. By 1946, over 300 local business firms were licensed by the naval government.
The postwar years marked a rapid transformation from subsistence agriculture and bartering to a wage-based and cash economy. Most of our people entered the labor force.
LAND TAKING AND DISPLACEMENT- I MACHULE’ TANO’ YAN HINIPA’
FROM SUBSISTENCE TO A WAGE-BASED ECONOMY
In 1899, Governor Leary required all residents to register their property. Taxes were imposed on ancestral lands. Many families were unable to pay the taxes and had to forfeit their land to the naval government.
Following the US recapture of Guam, US military land holdings constituted 63% of our island real estate. The Department of Defense still controls 28% of lands on Guam. Some families continue to battle these land issues in courts today.
I FINATAI LINA’LA’
LOSS OF LIFE
No one kept count of the number of CHamorus who died in a war not of our making. In 1939, the island population was 22,843.
We now know that during the war, at least 1,170 CHamorus were killed. Another 14,721 officially reported suffering from Japanese atrocities–beatings, forced labor, torture, rape, murder, beheadings, massacres, forced marches and concentration camps.
The red border on Guam’s flag was added in 1948 to recognize the blood shed during the war.
SGT. SHOICHI YOKOI: 横井正一軍曹
1972年1月24日、Manuel De Gracia オヨビ Jesus Duenas は Talofofoのジャングルで狩りをしていました。彼らは、第二次世界大戦の日本の敗残兵でジャングルに28年も隠れていた横井正一を発見しました。若干骨を折るも、チャモロ人の男は横井を説き伏せ、彼を家に連れていって食事を与え、当局に彼を引き渡しました。
横井は戦争の終了時にアメリカ軍に投降するのを拒んだのでした。彼は天然資源を使って生き延びました。約2メートルの深さの穴を掘り、竹製の小さな罠やココナッツの繊維を使ったロープを作り、野生のハイビスカスの繊維で服を作りました。食物は、野菜や果物を入手し、淡水ウナギやエビ、ねずみを捕まえていました。
横井は1972年にハネムーンで、妻を連れて再び訪れました。
I KATSON I GERA
THE COST OF WAR
Our people who survived World War II endured the atrocities of war. They managed to rebuild their lives from the rubble of their surroundings. Their heroic personal stories as survivors are best told in their own words.
Mañudidånon Amerikånu Hit
Organic Act Of Guam And Citizenship
Carlos Pangelinan Taitano (third from left) was the only CHamoru present at the signing of the Organic Act for Guam,
I TASI YAN I TANO’ – THE SEA AND LAND
GINEN I MAÑAINA-TA | OUR ANCIENT HERITAGE
FANATAHGUIYAN I HA’ÅNI | TIME OF CHANGE
TI GERAN MAMI | A WAR NOT OF OUR MAKING
HINALOM AMERIKÅNU TÅTTE | AMERICANS RETURN 1944 – 1945
I FINALOFFAN YAN I MA’MAILA | OUR PAST AND OUR FUTURE
I HINANAO-TA NU I MANAOTAO TANO’ | THE JOURNEY OF THE CHAMORU PEOPLE
I FINALOFFAN YAN I MA’MAILA | OUR PAST AND OUR FUTURE