Palau commemorates its independence on October 1 . Here are a few paragraphs (exactly 3 possible boring paragraphs you might want to skip) taken from the Palau Visitors Authority website. (It is actually a pretty good website if you want to know more about Palau. www.visit-palau.com )
Foreign governance of our islands officially began when Pope Leo XIII asserted Spain’s rights over the Caroline Islands in 1885. Two churches were established and maintained by two Capuchin priests and two brothers, resulting in the introduction of the Roman alphabet and the elimination of inter-village wars. In 1899, Spain sold the Carolines to Germany, which established an organized program to exploit the islands’ natural resources.
Following Germany’s defeat in WWI, the islands were formally passed to the Japanese under the 1919 Treaty of Versailles. The Japanese influence on the Palauan culture was immense as it shifted the economy from a level of subsistence to a market economy and property ownership from the clan to individuals. In 1922, Koror became the administrative center for all Japanese possessions in the South Pacific. The town of Koror was a stylish metropolis with factories, shops, public baths, restaurants and pharmacies.
Following Japan’s defeat in WWII, the Carolines, Marianas and Marshall Islands became United Nations Trust Territories under U.S. administration, with Palau being named as one of six island districts. As part of its mandate, the U.S. was to improve Palau’s infrastructure and educational system in order for it to become a self-sufficient nation. This finally came about on October 1, 1994, when Palau gained its independence upon the signing of the Compact of Free Association with the United States.
So interestingly enough, Palau actually celebrates gaining its independence from the United States.
I share all of this because that meant there was just recently the biggest holiday of the year here in Palau. It is a weekend long celebration, starting with a fair-like event here in Koror on Friday, something must have happened on Sabbath (we did not attend), and ending with the best event of the year the BOAT RACES!!! Here are some photos from our time at the bridge helping the SA with their fundraising booth. You will notice there is a dog that appears in Hailey’s arms. At the time this puppy was a stray, but it now has a home. That story will appear here sometime soon.
Like a hart thirsts for cool water, our hearts thirst for life. 