June 1: Samoa Celebrates Independence Day
Prayer Idea
Pray for the people and government of Samoa.
History Note
Samoa is an island nation in the Polynesian region of the Pacific Ocean. The country has four inhabited islands and five uninhabited islands.
Samoan language and culture shares similarities with other Polynesian peoples from Hawaii to New Zealand to Easter Island. Samoans have maintained many elements of their traditional culture.
In the late 1800s, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States took sides in internal disputes among Samoans over who should rule the islands. In an 1899 decision that did not include Samoans, Germany and the United States split control of the islands. Germany took control of the western islands, what is now Samoa. The United States took control of the eastern islands, what is now American Samoa.
During World War I, at the request of the British government, New Zealand captured Samoa from the Germans. Samoa remained a territory of New Zealand until 1962. Samoa was the first Pacific island nation to gain independence after being controlled by a foreign country.
Though Samoa officially gained independence on January 1, Samoa celebrates Independence Day on June 1 so it does not coincide with New Year’s Day. The country celebrates with parades, performances, sporting events, and food.
This 2022 image shows the Samoan capital of Apia. Photo by Ramunas Bruzas / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
This video shows footage of Samoa in the 1960s.
Find other resources at Homeschool History.
