Liberation Day on the U.S. territory of
Guam
Guam ( ; ) is an island that is an Territories of the United States, organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. Guam's capital is Hagåtña, Guam, Hagåtña, and the most ...
is an annual commemoration of the
invasion by U.S. military forces on July 21, 1944, which ended the
Japanese occupation that had begun in 1941. Begun in 1945, it is Guam's largest celebration. Festivities include a queen contest, summer
carnival
Carnival (known as Shrovetide in certain localities) is a festive season that occurs at the close of the Christian pre-Lenten period, consisting of Quinquagesima or Shrove Sunday, Shrove Monday, and Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras.
Carnival typi ...
,
fireworks
Fireworks are Explosive, low explosive Pyrotechnics, pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large numbe ...
display, and mile-long parade on
Marine Corps Drive
Guam Highway 1 (GH-1), also known as Marine Corps Drive, is one of the primary automobile routes in the United States territory of Guam. It runs in a southwest-to-northeast direction, from the main gate of Naval Base Guam in the southwestern vi ...
in
Hagåtña from
Adelup to
Paseo de Susana, as well as solemn memorials and visits to massacre sites. It is organized by the Guam Island Fair Committee.
Background

Before the
Japanese capture of Guam on December 10, 1941, the Guam Island Fair was celebrated annually, first in the
Plaza de España in
Hagåtña and later in Bradley Park in
Anigua.
With tensions rising after the 1931
Japanese invasion of Manchuria
The Empire of Japan's Kwantung Army invaded the Manchuria region of the Republic of China on 18 September 1931, immediately following the Mukden incident, a false flag event staged by Japanese military personnel as a pretext to invade. At the ...
starting the
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was fought between the Republic of China (1912–1949), Republic of China and the Empire of Japan between 1937 and 1945, following a period of war localized to Manchuria that started in 1931. It is considered part ...
, a committee formed in 1938 by U.S. Rear Admiral
Arthur Japy Hepburn recommended a massive buildup of Guam as an air and submarine base. However, the U.S. balked at the estimated cost.
American military dependents and contractors were evacuated weeks before the invasion. While Guamanians were nationals of the United States, they would not become citizens until the passage of the
Guam Organic Act of 1950. Practically defenseless, U.S. and territorial forces made token resistance before surrendering to the overwhelming Japanese invasion force,
becoming one of three parts of the U.S. captured by the Japanese in
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
, along with the
Aleutian Islands
The Aleutian Islands ( ; ; , "land of the Aleuts"; possibly from the Chukchi language, Chukchi ''aliat'', or "island")—also called the Aleut Islands, Aleutic Islands, or, before Alaska Purchase, 1867, the Catherine Archipelago—are a chain ...
of
Kiska
Kiska (, ) is one of the Rat Islands, a group of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. It is about long and varies in width from . It is part of Aleutian Islands Wilderness and as such, special permission is required to visit it. The island has ...
and
Attu.
Renamed Omiya Jima,
Japanese
Japanese may refer to:
* Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia
* Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan
* Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture
** Japanese diaspor ...
for "Great Shrine Island," the island was administered as part of the
Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
The , also known as the GEACPS, was a Pan-Asianism, pan-Asian union that the Empire of Japan tried to establish. Initially, it covered Japan (including Korea under Japanese rule, annexed Korea), Manchukuo, and Wang Jingwei regime, China, but as ...
by the
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN; Kyūjitai: Shinjitai: ' 'Navy of the Greater Japanese Empire', or ''Nippon Kaigun'', 'Japanese Navy') was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1868 to 1945, Potsdam Declaration, when it was dissolved followin ...
,
with the ultimate intent to make it part of the Saipan Branch of the
South Seas Bureau. In the early part of the occupation, Japanese forces harassed and tortured
Chamorro residents who they suspected of aiding the few American military personnel hiding on Guam, but largely focused on administration aimed at incorporating the island, such as teaching
Japanese language
is the principal language of the Japonic languages, Japonic language family spoken by the Japanese people. It has around 123 million speakers, primarily in Japan, the only country where it is the national language, and within the Japanese dia ...
in schools. This changed as the
Pacific War
The Pacific War, sometimes called the Asia–Pacific War or the Pacific Theatre, was the Theater (warfare), theatre of World War II fought between the Empire of Japan and the Allies of World War II, Allies in East Asia, East and Southeast As ...
drew closer and the threat of American attack increased. In early 1944, between 10,000 and 15,000 Chamorros were forced to march with only the belongings they could carry to internment camps in the middle of the island. Most of the male population was forced to build infrastructure and defenses, including the two airfields that became
Orote Field and
Naval Air Station Agana
Naval Air Station Agana is a former United States Naval air station located on the island of Guam. It was opened by the Japanese Navy in 1943 and closed by the United States government in 1995. During and after its closure, it was operated al ...
, which is now
Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport. In 1944, the Japanese response to American aircraft's preparatory bombing from June 11 to 13, followed by naval bombardment starting on June 27, was brutal. Japanese massacred dozens of Chamorro civilians in
Fena,
Merizo
Malesso' (formerly Merizo) is the southernmost village in the United States territory of Guam. Cocos Island (Chamorro: Islan Dåno) is a part of the municipality. The village's population has decreased since the island's 2010 census.
Malesso' is ...
, and
Yigo
Yigo, Guam (; ) is the northernmost village of the United States territory of Guam, and is the location of Andersen Air Force Base. The municipality of Yigo is the largest village on the island in terms of area. It contains a number of populated pl ...
. As the invasion neared, Japanese soldiers indiscriminately killed any Chamorros they encountered around the island. The Japanese also
rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault involving sexual intercourse, or other forms of sexual penetration, carried out against a person without consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority, or against a person ...
d numerous women around the island. Meanwhile, an unknown number were killed by the American aerial and naval bombardment.
On July 21, 1944 the
3rd Marine Division
The 3rd Marine Division is a division (military), division of the United States Marine Corps based at Camp Courtney, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler in Okinawa Prefecture, Okinawa, Japan. It is one of three active duty infantry division ...
landed
at Asan and the
1st Provisional Marine Brigade landed
at Agat to the south, on either side of the strategically important
Apra Harbor
Apra Harbor, also called Port Apra, is a deep-water port on the western side of the United States territory of Guam. It is considered one of the best natural ports in the Pacific Ocean. The harbor is bounded by Cabras Island and the Glass Breakwat ...
and
Orote Peninsula. Together with the U.S. Army's
77th Infantry Division, and the support of U.S. Navy
Seabee
United States Naval Construction Battalions, better known as the Navy Seabees, form the U.S. Naval Construction Forces (NCF). The Seabee nickname is a heterograph of the initial letters "CB" from the words "Construction Battalion". Dependi ...
s, American forces captured the Orote Peninsula by July 29 and pushed north. On August 10, organized Japanese resistance ended, though the last
Japanese holdout,
Shoichi Yokoi, was not captured until 1972.
History
In 1945 - the immediate aftermath of the war - prominent Chamorro educator
Agueda Iglesias Johnston was instrumental in convincing the island's leadership to support a commemorative celebration of the island's liberation. Johnston had influence with the Army and Navy commands, but had a harder time convincing civilian leaders that a celebration was needed. The military supplied a 100-pound cake, a band, and transportation but Johnston was responsible for a venue. She found an old school with walls and floors made of bamboo and recalled, "When the young people began the
jitterbug
Jitterbug is a generalized term used to describe Swing (dance), swing dancing. It is often synonymous with the lindy hop dance but might include elements of the Jive (dance), jive, east coast swing, collegiate shag, Charleston (dance), charlesto ...
, I feared some of them would be hurled through the walls. No one was hurt."
The first Liberation Queen was named in 1948.
As with the pre-war Guam Island Fair, the Queen is named based on ticket sales, with the runner-up named Liberation Princess.
The Liberation Queen contest, parade, carnival, and religious and memorial services have been constant features of an often multi-day event. However, other kinds of celebrations have been done over the years.
In 1950, the Liberation Day program called for a morning
Mass
Mass is an Intrinsic and extrinsic properties, intrinsic property of a physical body, body. It was traditionally believed to be related to the physical quantity, quantity of matter in a body, until the discovery of the atom and particle physi ...
, the decoration of graves and war markers, and then an informal dance. In 1952, three days of festivities, with fireworks nightly, included a motorboat parade, horse racing,
carabao
Carabaos () are a genetically distinct population of swamp-type water buffaloes ('' Bubalus bubalis kerabau'') from the Philippines.FAO 2013''Philippine Carabao/Philippines''In: Domestic Animal Diversity Information System. Food and Agriculture ...
racing, athletic competitions, and a
boxing
Boxing is a combat sport and martial art. Taking place in a boxing ring, it involves two people – usually wearing protective equipment, such as boxing glove, protective gloves, hand wraps, and mouthguards – throwing Punch (combat), punch ...
tournament.
Liberation Day festivities have including
wrestling
Wrestling is a martial art, combat sport, and form of entertainment that involves grappling with an opponent and striving to obtain a position of advantage through different throws or techniques, within a given ruleset. Wrestling involves di ...
matches,
agricultural fairs,
bicycle race
"Bicycle Race" is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was released on their 1978 album ''Jazz'' and written by Queen's lead singer Freddie Mercury. It was released as a double A-side single together with the song " Fat Bottomed Girls", re ...
s, and
pig wrestling, with instances of a
Battle of the Bands in 1971 and a
circus
A circus is a company of performers who put on diverse entertainment shows that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, dancers, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists, and unicy ...
. The parade route begins at
Adelup and typically runs to
Paseo de Susana, but in 1976 it went to Camp Asan and in 1983 it went to Hagåtña Pool. While the carnival is typically at Paseo, it has been held at the former Yigo Amusement Park, the Harmon Cliff line, and
Tiyan in the past. In 1995,
PBS
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and non-commercial, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly funded nonprofit organization and the most prominent provider of educat ...
Guam began a yearly tradition of live broadcasts of the parade.
For the milestone 25th anniversary in 1969, a special six-day celebration was held. A
Marine Corps band from Honolulu was flown in and a 30-piece Army band performed.
The grand marshal was Marine Corps Brig. Gen.
Louis H. Wilson Jr., who had been awarded the
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest Awards and decorations of the United States Armed Forces, military decoration and is awarded to recognize American United States Army, soldiers, United States Navy, sailors, Un ...
for his actions during the Battle of Guam and would later become the
Commandant of the Marine Corps Commandant of the Marine Corps may refer to:
* Commandant of the Marine Corps (Indonesia)
* Commandant of the Netherlands Marine Corps
* Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps
* Commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps
* Commandant of th ...
.
50th anniversary (1994)
For the 50th anniversary Liberation Day in 1994, over a thousand veterans of the battle were flown to Guam on special tours, taken out to ceremonies on visiting Naval vessels, and honored at special gatherings.
Grand marshal duties were shared by four WWII veterans from Guam who had served in the Army, Marine Corps, Army Air Force, and Navy.
Marine Corps Brig. Gen.
Edwin H. Simmons, a veteran of the 1944 battle and the former director of the
United States Marine Corps History Division
The United States Marine Corps History Division is an arm of the Headquarters Marine Corps tasked with researching, writing, and maintaining the History of the United States Marine Corps. It also provides reference and research assistance; prese ...
, described the scene:
The 2004 Liberation Day marking the 60th anniversary included a rededication ceremony in which
Guam Highway 1, the main north–south route, was renamed from "Marine Drive" to "Marine Corps Drive."
In 2008, tragedy struck when a
B-52
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been operated by the United States Ai ...
from
Andersen Air Force Base
Andersen Air Force Base (Andersen AFB, AAFB) is a United States Air Force base located primarily within the village of Yigo in the United States territory of Guam. The host unit at Andersen AFB is the 36th Wing (36 WG), assigned to the Pacif ...
that was preparing for a
flyover of the parade
crashed into the ocean, with the loss of all six crewmembers. A memorial monument was unveiled at the Governor's Complex on
Adelup Point on July 20, 2009.
As the years have gone on, fewer and fewer veterans of the battle have been able to attend Liberation Day festivities. The 75th anniversary Liberation Day in 2019 was attended by only two veterans of the battle and one veteran who assisted with the island's reconstruction, who were named as three of the six grand marshals.
Three Chamorro survivors of the occupation were named co-grand marshals. The parade included 91 entries, including from 16 of the 19 villages. Related events included a march to the
Manengon Valley Concentration Camp and many memorial services and musical performances, including by local pop star
Pia Mia, the Navy's
Pacific Fleet Band, the
III Marine Expeditionary Force
III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) is a formation of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force of the United States Marine Corps. It is forward-deployed and able to rapidly conduct operations across the spectrum from humanitarian assistance and ...
Band, and traditional Chamorro musicians. Lt. Gov.
Joshua Tenorio, who headed the liberation committee, stated, "Many of the wartime survivors have passed away; it's up to us to carry on their legacy."
In 2020, no in-person celebration was held due to concerns about the
COVID-19 pandemic in Guam.
Mayors' Council of Guam Executive Director Angel Sablan commented, "We already lost a lot of people during our real liberation. It doesn't make sense to lose more lives just to celebrate it." This meant that, for the first time ever, the Liberation Queen retained her title for second year.
PBS Guam, in lieu of its normal live parade coverage, broadcast a one-hour Liberation special and re-broadcast the 75th Guam Liberation Day Parade. In January 2021, the
Guam National Guard announced that their support to
COVID-19 vaccination
A COVID19 vaccine is a vaccine intended to provide acquired immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 ( COVID19).
Knowledge about the structure and func ...
efforts was named Operation Liberate Guam. It aims to achieve 80%
herd immunity
Herd immunity (also called herd effect, community immunity, population immunity, or mass immunity) is a form of indirect protection that applies only to contagious diseases. It occurs when a sufficient percentage of a population has become i ...
by Liberation Day 2021.
Events
The centerpiece of Liberation Day celebrations is the parade, which includes both civic and commercial floats that are typically related to a declared theme for the year. There are also marches by various groups, particularly military units. The most anticipated floats are by the
villages of Guam
A village is a human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town with a population typically ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Although villages are often located in rural areas, the term urban villa ...
, which are subject to an islandwide competition.
However, some villages have refrained from participating, stating that they would rather spend limited funds on more long-lasting projects. Village floats rely heavily on charitable donations and volunteer labor. The grand marshal, the symbolic leader of the parade, has most often been a occupation survivor or military or political leader.
[ The lack of space along the parade route for all the spectators necessitates a sign-up sheet for parade watching spots that is filled on a first-come basis; some families and businesses camp overnight to ensure that they can reserve a parade-watching spot.]
The Guam Carnival, formally the Guam Island Fair, typically opens at Paseo de Susana in late May and runs until early August. It has rides, games, and food stands. In the early 1980s, the carnival was engulfed in controversy over who gets the lucrative concessions. In 1982, the Attorney General of Guam upheld a 1980 law stating that concession must go to nonprofit groups. However, in 1983, when the carnival was held at Yigo Amusement Park, then-Speaker Carl Gutierrez got a second carnival approved at the traditional location of Paseo. This led parade organizers to reroute to the Agana Pool and Agana Shopping Center so it did not attract visitors to the unsanctioned carnival at Paseo. The role of gambling at the carnival is a perennial source of disagreement. Guam banned most forms of gambling in 1977, with the sole exception being at the Liberation Carnival, with the proceeds funding Liberation Day activities. In 2017, lawmakers closed this loophole, corresponding to a drop in Carnival attendees and revenue. In 2019, the ban was lifted and gambling was once again allowed. However, the Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation proposed using chips, rather than allowing cash, to allow easier accounting.
Memorials and ceremonies have changed greatly over the years. They may include events held a week before or after actual Liberation Day. In the 2010s, they have included:
* Asan Landing Memorial Ceremony at the Asan Invasion Beach and following Mass at Asan's Nino Perdido y Sagrada Familia Church[
* Visits to the Faha and Tinta massacre sites in Merizo][
* Walks to the Fena Cave massacre site and memorial service at Old Agat Cemetery][
* Mass at the Sumay Cemetery][
* Memorial ceremony at the Raider 21 monument at Adelup for the crew lost in the 2008 B-52 crash]
* Visit to the Chaqui'an Massacre Site in Yigo[
]
References
{{Guam
Events in Guam
Society of Guam
State holidays in the United States
July observances
Victory days
Festivals established in 1945
1945 establishments in the United States