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On March 6, 1521 Ferdinand Magellan came across Guam in his journey around the world. He and his crewmen were greeted by the Chamorros, the descendants of the ancient people of Guam. They may never have seen Europeans before, but they practiced trading with other sea-faring islanders and assumed these Europeans did the same. In small, fast and efficient vessels called "flying proas", they welcomed the Europeans with food and drink. According to Chamorro folk history, the Chamorros expected to be paid in return, such as with the iron that they saw on Magellan's ships. From the Europeans' point of view, they thought the islanders were a gentle and gracious people. When--having not been recompensed for the food and hospitality they had given--the Chamorros stole upon Magellan's ships and took iron for themselves, Magellan was angered and battled the Chamorros, leaving homes burned to the ground and people dead. He and his men left and continued their journey around the world.

In a matter of decades, Guam was colonized by Spain and for the next 400 years the island existed as such. It was an important stop for whaling ships and other industries. The original inhabitant populationIndigenous peoples are: Peoples living in an area prior to colonization by a state Peoples living in an area within a nation-state, prior to the formation of a nation-state, but who do not identify with the dominant nation. The descendants of either of th dwindled significantly as a result of diseaseA disease is any abnormal condition of the body or mind that causes discomfort, dysfunction, or distress to the person affected or those in contact with the person. Sometimes the term is used broadly to include injuries, disabilities, syndromes, symptoms, and rebellionA rebellion is an armed resistance to an established government. Those who participate in rebellions are rebels. Other words for a rebellion include: revolt uprising insurrection and insurgency''. Some of these words, especially rebellion and revolt often against the Spaniards. Still, a population of those who identified themselves as Chamorros remained, though the cultureThe word culture comes from the Latin root colere (to inhabit, to cultivate, or to honor). In general it refers to human activity; different definitions of culture reflect different theories for understanding, or criteria for valuing, human activity. and bloodlines began to incorporate Spanish and other European religionReligion sometimes used interchangeably with faith, is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the practices and institutions associated with such belief. Borobudur, a Buddhist stupa built between 750 and 850 Adriaen, customFor an article on the meaning of this term in the field of law, see custom_(law). A custom is also a kind of Motorbike; see Custom (motorcycle) Custom is a common practice among people, especially depending on country, culture, time and religion. The diffs, and languageAs with any complex, emergent concept, language is somewhat resistant to definition; however, most would agree that language is a system of communication or reasoning using representation along with metaphor and some manner of logical grammar. Many langua.

As a result of the Spanish-American WarThe Spanish-American War took place in 1898, and resulted in the United States of America gaining control over the former colonies of Spain in the Caribbean and Pacific. Background For several centuries Spain's position as a world power had been slipping, Spain ceded Guam to the US in 1898.

Guam was captured by the Japanese in 1941, and retaken by the US three years later. During World War II the Battle of Guam started on July 21, 1944 with an American troop landing and ended on August 10 in an Allied victory.

With the Organic Act of 1950, Chamorros were granted US citizenship.

The military installations on the island are some of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific. When Navy and Air Force bases in the Philippines were closed after the expiration of lease of the US military bases in the Philippines, most of the forces stationed there were relocated to Guam.

See also : Guam