The first medical facilities and dispensaries of the US Naval Era (1898 – 1941) were established shortly after the Spanish American War in 1898, recorded as early as 1899. In this first year, Naval officials estimated that 1,141 indigenous CHamorus received medical care. Since roads remained under developed and hazardous, the Navy also provided a portable clinic that traveled to and from different points around the island.
The CHamoru women who were trained as nurse-midwives by the US Navy assisted with home births in Guam from approximately 1910 to 1967. CHamorus born on the island during this period were most likely to have been delivered by one of these nurse-midwives. These women, known in Guam as pattera, play a unique role in Guam’s history and culture.
Guam Pattera (Nurse Midwives) Read Post »
Ramon Manalisay Sablan (1902-1970) was the first CHamoru medical doctor. He is also remembered as an influential educator, politician, activist, linguist, and musician.
Dr. Ramon Manalisay Sablan Read Post »
Congress chartered the Guam Chapter of the American Red Cross on 23 October 1916 with signatures of then President Woodrow Wilson, Secretary Charles L. Magee and American Red Cross Acting Chairman Eliot Wadsworth.
American Red Cross, Guam Chapter Read Post »
US Naval Governor Edward Dorn replaced all CHamoru justices in 1910 with commissioned officers from the US Navy and Marine Corps. However, by 1918 local judges were back in the island’s courts.
US Naval Era: Judges and Island Attorneys Read Post »
Many of the first US Naval governors of Guam attempted to reorganize the court system. Guam’s first appointed US Navy Governor Richard P. Leary (1899–1900) created the Supreme Court of Guam in April 1900.
US Naval Era: Island Court System Read Post »
Although Guam became an American possession in 1898, it was not until 1933 that the laws of Guam began to reflect those of the United States rather than of Spain. For nearly 34 years of American rule the rulings and decisions made in the island’s judicial system were based heavily upon the terms laid out in Spanish law, including the titles used in court and methods of punishment.
US Naval Era: Development of the Code of Guam Read Post »
A common political fallacy is that democracy was a babe born in Guam during the mid-20th century under American rule. The fact is that democracy had its beginning in Guam almost two centuries ago when benevolent Spanish authorities allowed the local electorates to choose their gobernadorcillos (mayors).
History of Democracy in Guam Read Post »
Since the claim by Spain over the Mariana Islands in 1565 and the settlement of Jesuit missionaries and conquest of the CHamoru people in the 17th century, the control and ultimate political fate of Guam has been the subject of war and political controversy.
Guam’s Political Status Read Post »
Few peoples in the world have had continued colonial status for the past 330 years. However, the CHamoru people can claim this unfortunate distinction. It all began when Ferdinand Magellan, and his three small ships stumbled upon the Mariana Islands 6 March 1521. Totally exhausted, sick with scurvy and half-starved, Magellan and his crew were fed and the ship’s stores replenished. Magellan stayed just long enough to take vengeance on the islanders’ for their theft of his ship’s skiff, and, reportedly, carve out human entrails for his sick crew.
Guam and Its Three Empires Read Post »
