Skip to content

Modern Guam Rises

Civic Society, Historic Eras of Guam, Interpretive Essays, Modern Guam Rises, Politics and Government, Post WWII Era, Spanish Era, Spanish Era: Politics, US Naval Era

History of Democracy in Guam

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 »

CHamoru Quest for Self-Determination, Civic Society, Contemporary Guam Era, Guamanian Era, Historic Eras of Guam, Interpretive Essays, Modern Guam Rises, Politics and Government, Post WWII Era, US Naval Era, WWII/Japanese Era

Guam’s Political Status

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 »

Civic Society, Guamanian Era, Historic Eras of Guam, Interpretive Essays, Modern Guam Rises, Politics and Government, Post WWII Era, Spanish Era, US Naval Era, WWII/Japanese Era

Guam and Its Three Empires

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 »

Civic Society, Education, Guamanian Era, Guamanian Era: Education, Historic Eras of Guam, Modern Guam Rises

Notre Dame High School

Notre Dame High School was established on Guam in 1968 by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, an order founded in 1833 in Germany by Blessed Mother Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger. Although this college preparatory institution began as an all-female school, the school opened its doors to young men in 1995, making Notre Dame the first and only Catholic co-educational high school on Guam.

Notre Dame High School Read Post »

Civic Society, Education, Guamanian Era, Guamanian Era: Education, Historic Eras of Guam, Modern Guam Rises, People, People and Places

Namesake School: VSA Benavente Middle

Established in 1966 as Dededo Junior High School, Dededo Middle School was renamed Vicente S.A. Benavente Middle School on February 10, 1999. I Mina Bente Singko na Liheslaturan Guåhan/ the 25th Guam Legislature had passed a resolution supporting the then-Guam Board of Education’s intention to rename the school in honor of the educator turned civic leader.

Namesake School: VSA Benavente Middle Read Post »

Scroll to Top