… site of ferocious fighting in WWII, when the island was almost obliterated by US bombing attacks on the Japanese who occupied the island. Fortunately, the Japanese placed the native Chamorro inhabitants in five prisoner of war camps, and the US carefully avoided bombing those five camps. Chamorros ruled the island until about 1500. The next 300 years saw Spanish domination. In 1898, Spain sold Guam to the US. Japan attacked Guam one day after Pearl Harbor, and occupied the island until it was liberated by the US on July 21, 1944. The US Dept of Interior controls the island; although its citizens have US passports, they can’t vote in US elections.
Guam has beautiful beaches, many war monuments commemorating the landing of US troops to free the island, and remnants of Chamorro culture. Below is a picture of Apra Bay, one of the American landing sites; a series of bronze plaques memorializes the many lives lost.
We visited Hagatna, Guam’s capital, with several interesting stops including a cultural park with ancient Chamorro rock formations known as Latte Stones. These peculiar rocks appear on several islands as well, and are thought to be the pillars for ancient dwellings. Reproductions of the latte shape are everywhere on the island; note the large tower in the Government Center.
Across the street from the relocated latte stones was the Plaza de Espana, the seat of government during the Chamorro, Spanish and Japanese eras. The small hexagonal building is the Chocolate House, named after the custom of the Spanish Governor to serve hot chocolate to his guests; it was later used by the Americans and Japanese as a tea house.
Just beyond the Plaza is the city’s Catholic Basilica. Honored with a papal visit by Pope John Paul II, the cathedral became a basilica. The city’s striking museum commemorates the Pope’s visit with a statue on the site of his address.
An interesting island, with a good mix of history and culture.
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