Pasquines
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We're a nonprofit news organization determined to provide the news of the United States territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, the US Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. We publish the context of islands at pasquines.us.
#TBT: A plebiscite on the political status of Puerto Rico was held in on November 6, 2012. Voters were asked two questions: Whether they agreed to continue with the territorial status and which status they preferred: statehood, independence, or a sovereign nation in free association with the US.
November 6, 2025 at 9:52 PM
#TBT: A plebiscite on the political status of Puerto Rico was held in on November 6, 2012. Voters were asked two questions: Whether they agreed to continue with the territorial status and which status they preferred: statehood, independence, or a sovereign nation in free association with the US.
#TBT: On October 30, 2012, the American Samoa Historic Preservation Office hosted Holger Droessler, then an American Studies graduate student from Harvard University. Droessler, now Pasquines' American Samoa Affairs Associate Editor, visited to access local historical documents and reports.
October 30, 2025 at 3:36 PM
#TBT: On October 30, 2012, the American Samoa Historic Preservation Office hosted Holger Droessler, then an American Studies graduate student from Harvard University. Droessler, now Pasquines' American Samoa Affairs Associate Editor, visited to access local historical documents and reports.
#TBT: On October 23, 2018, Yutu became a typhoon and then caused catastrophic destruction on Tinian and Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. It was the strongest tropical cyclone to ever impact the Mariana Islands and the second-strongest to strike the United States or its territories.
October 23, 2025 at 7:37 PM
#TBT: On October 23, 2018, Yutu became a typhoon and then caused catastrophic destruction on Tinian and Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. It was the strongest tropical cyclone to ever impact the Mariana Islands and the second-strongest to strike the United States or its territories.
#TBT: Peter Tali Coleman (R) was the first and only person of Samoan descent to be appointed governor of American Samoa on October 15, 1956, and later became the territory's first and third popularly elected governor. He is the father of current Delegate Amata Coleman Radewagen.
October 16, 2025 at 2:45 PM
#TBT: Peter Tali Coleman (R) was the first and only person of Samoan descent to be appointed governor of American Samoa on October 15, 1956, and later became the territory's first and third popularly elected governor. He is the father of current Delegate Amata Coleman Radewagen.
#TBT: Richard Barrett Lowe was the governor (and fifth appointed civil governor) of American Samoa and the eighth American governor of Guam. From October 2-15, 1953, Lowe was the Governor of two territories simultaneously, the only time this has happened in the 20th century.
October 2, 2025 at 11:15 AM
#TBT: Richard Barrett Lowe was the governor (and fifth appointed civil governor) of American Samoa and the eighth American governor of Guam. From October 2-15, 1953, Lowe was the Governor of two territories simultaneously, the only time this has happened in the 20th century.
#TBT: Dutch privateer Boudewijn Hendricksz attacks San Juan on September 25, 1625, and resides in La Fortaleza. Unsuccessful in capturing El Morro, Hendrickzs collected all of the wealth from the civilian homes and burned San Juan and San Juan de la Cruz to the ground before leaving the island.
September 25, 2025 at 7:57 PM
#TBT: Dutch privateer Boudewijn Hendricksz attacks San Juan on September 25, 1625, and resides in La Fortaleza. Unsuccessful in capturing El Morro, Hendrickzs collected all of the wealth from the civilian homes and burned San Juan and San Juan de la Cruz to the ground before leaving the island.
#TBT: From September to October 1895, Andrew Jenson toured the Samoan islands, including American Samoa, as part of his extensive 1895-1897 world tour to gather historical data for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He wrote of the natives being "kind and hospitable" to their visitors.
September 18, 2025 at 10:55 PM
#TBT: From September to October 1895, Andrew Jenson toured the Samoan islands, including American Samoa, as part of his extensive 1895-1897 world tour to gather historical data for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He wrote of the natives being "kind and hospitable" to their visitors.
#TBT: Senator Hiram L. Fong of Hawaii introduced S. Con. Res. 50 in August 1965, proposing that Micronesia, including the Northern Mariana Islands, merge with the state of Hawaii, an effort, he claimed, to push Congress to reach a consensus over the fate of the territories.
September 11, 2025 at 10:10 PM
#TBT: Senator Hiram L. Fong of Hawaii introduced S. Con. Res. 50 in August 1965, proposing that Micronesia, including the Northern Mariana Islands, merge with the state of Hawaii, an effort, he claimed, to push Congress to reach a consensus over the fate of the territories.
#TBT: Born on September 4, 1940, Tufele Li'amatua was an American Samoan politician, businessman, and paramount chief.[1] He served as the first elected lieutenant governor of American Samoa under former Governor Peter Tali Coleman from 1978 to 1985.
September 4, 2025 at 5:16 PM
#TBT: Born on September 4, 1940, Tufele Li'amatua was an American Samoan politician, businessman, and paramount chief.[1] He served as the first elected lieutenant governor of American Samoa under former Governor Peter Tali Coleman from 1978 to 1985.
#TBT: On August 28, 2019, Hurricane Dorian struck the US Virgin Islands, which were affected primarily by damaging winds, with gusts reaching 111 mph. The hurricane went on to become one of the most powerful hurricanes recorded in the Atlantic Ocean in terms of 1-minute sustained winds.
August 28, 2025 at 12:45 PM
#TBT: On August 28, 2019, Hurricane Dorian struck the US Virgin Islands, which were affected primarily by damaging winds, with gusts reaching 111 mph. The hurricane went on to become one of the most powerful hurricanes recorded in the Atlantic Ocean in terms of 1-minute sustained winds.
#TBT: 60 years ago today, the Guam Economic Development Authority was founded, after the signing of Public Law 8-80. Its mission is to develop a sound and sustainable economy through innovative programs that preserve and promote local culture, economic opportunities, and quality of life.
August 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
#TBT: 60 years ago today, the Guam Economic Development Authority was founded, after the signing of Public Law 8-80. Its mission is to develop a sound and sustainable economy through innovative programs that preserve and promote local culture, economic opportunities, and quality of life.
#TBT: On August 7, 2019, Puerto Rico’s Secretary of Justice Wanda Vázquez Garced was sworn in as Puerto Rico's second female governor, the third governor the territory had in less than a week. Earlier in the day, the August 2nd swearing-in of Pedro Pierluisi was thrown out by the Supreme Court.
August 7, 2025 at 1:30 PM
#TBT: On August 7, 2019, Puerto Rico’s Secretary of Justice Wanda Vázquez Garced was sworn in as Puerto Rico's second female governor, the third governor the territory had in less than a week. Earlier in the day, the August 2nd swearing-in of Pedro Pierluisi was thrown out by the Supreme Court.
#TBT: On July 31, 1969, Owen Aspinall ended his term as the 45th Governor of American Samoa. During his term, he signed a bill from the American Samoa Fono into law, against the wishes of the Department of the Interior, to send a Delegate to the US House of Representatives from the territory.
July 31, 2025 at 9:03 PM
#TBT: On July 31, 1969, Owen Aspinall ended his term as the 45th Governor of American Samoa. During his term, he signed a bill from the American Samoa Fono into law, against the wishes of the Department of the Interior, to send a Delegate to the US House of Representatives from the territory.
#TBT: On July 24, 1944, the United States invaded Tinian Island in the Northern Mariana Islands as part of the larger Battle of the Marianas during World War II. The invasion was a key step in the island-hopping strategy to gain a base from which to launch attacks on Japan.
July 24, 2025 at 12:15 PM
#TBT: On July 24, 1944, the United States invaded Tinian Island in the Northern Mariana Islands as part of the larger Battle of the Marianas during World War II. The invasion was a key step in the island-hopping strategy to gain a base from which to launch attacks on Japan.
#TBT: On July 17, 1931, Gatewood Sanders Lincoln began the second of his two non-consecutive terms as Governor of American Samoa. During his tenure, he started a Samoan-led judicial commission to deal with matters involving land ownership, thereby granting the Samoan people more autonomy.
July 17, 2025 at 6:49 PM
#TBT: On July 17, 1931, Gatewood Sanders Lincoln began the second of his two non-consecutive terms as Governor of American Samoa. During his tenure, he started a Samoan-led judicial commission to deal with matters involving land ownership, thereby granting the Samoan people more autonomy.
#TBT: Born July 10, 1940, Juan Luis was a Puerto Rican-US Virgin Islander politician who served as the third elected Governor of the US Virgin Islands. The longest-serving governor in the territory, he is widely credited with overhauling and establishing the current USVI healthcare system.
July 10, 2025 at 9:17 PM
#TBT: Born July 10, 1940, Juan Luis was a Puerto Rican-US Virgin Islander politician who served as the third elected Governor of the US Virgin Islands. The longest-serving governor in the territory, he is widely credited with overhauling and establishing the current USVI healthcare system.
#TBT: Signed into law on July 3, 1950, by President Harry Truman, the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act of 1950 enabled the residents of Puerto Rico to organize the insular government of the unincorporated territory under a constitution of its own, comparable to those of states of the United States.
July 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
#TBT: Signed into law on July 3, 1950, by President Harry Truman, the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act of 1950 enabled the residents of Puerto Rico to organize the insular government of the unincorporated territory under a constitution of its own, comparable to those of states of the United States.
#TBT: The 1917 Samoa earthquake affected the Samoan Islands, including American Samoa, on June 26, 1917. The epicenter of the magnitude 8.0 earthquake was located in the southwest of the Samoan Islands. It was described as the worst earthquake in Samoa in 50 years, although there were no casualties.
June 26, 2025 at 11:47 AM
#TBT: The 1917 Samoa earthquake affected the Samoan Islands, including American Samoa, on June 26, 1917. The epicenter of the magnitude 8.0 earthquake was located in the southwest of the Samoan Islands. It was described as the worst earthquake in Samoa in 50 years, although there were no casualties.
#TBT: Fighter plane contrails mark the sky over Task Force 58, during the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot" phase of the battle on June 19, 1944, west of the Northern Mariana Islands. These were photographed from on board USS Birmingham during the Battle of the Philippine Sea of World War II.
June 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM
#TBT: Fighter plane contrails mark the sky over Task Force 58, during the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot" phase of the battle on June 19, 1944, west of the Northern Mariana Islands. These were photographed from on board USS Birmingham during the Battle of the Philippine Sea of World War II.
#TBT: Mount ʻAlava is the second-highest mountain on Tutuila Island in American Sāmoa. Its summit has an elevation of 1,610 ft. It has developed into a notable tourist attraction thanks to an observation platform that provides sweeping views of the island, as seen in this picture from June 12, 2011.
June 12, 2025 at 8:22 PM
#TBT: Mount ʻAlava is the second-highest mountain on Tutuila Island in American Sāmoa. Its summit has an elevation of 1,610 ft. It has developed into a notable tourist attraction thanks to an observation platform that provides sweeping views of the island, as seen in this picture from June 12, 2011.
Twelve years of stories, shaped by your support—like the towers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral rising over Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, we’ve stood to provide context in the islands. Thank you. Stay with us as we grow: follow the journey at pasquines.us.
June 6, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Twelve years of stories, shaped by your support—like the towers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral rising over Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, we’ve stood to provide context in the islands. Thank you. Stay with us as we grow: follow the journey at pasquines.us.
We’re launching Terristories: a new Pasquines project following five lives across the territories. From worship at Matagaluega Koluse Paia in American Samoa to everyday choices shaped by policy, we’re capturing what it means to live the context of islands—up close and over time.
June 5, 2025 at 11:06 PM
We’re launching Terristories: a new Pasquines project following five lives across the territories. From worship at Matagaluega Koluse Paia in American Samoa to everyday choices shaped by policy, we’re capturing what it means to live the context of islands—up close and over time.
#TBT: The Eliza James-McBean Clocktower and Boardwalk in the US Virgin Islands is named for one of the longest living Crucians who contributed to the islands' culture and tradition. In May 2003, the local legislature honored her posthumously, two years after she died at age 105 in July 2001.
June 5, 2025 at 11:05 PM
#TBT: The Eliza James-McBean Clocktower and Boardwalk in the US Virgin Islands is named for one of the longest living Crucians who contributed to the islands' culture and tradition. In May 2003, the local legislature honored her posthumously, two years after she died at age 105 in July 2001.
From the bells of Dulce Nombre de Maria to stories beyond the headlines—help us continue 12 years of independent coverage from the territories. Support Pasquines and the #ContextOfIslands with a donation today → pasquines.us/donate.
June 5, 2025 at 9:55 PM
From the bells of Dulce Nombre de Maria to stories beyond the headlines—help us continue 12 years of independent coverage from the territories. Support Pasquines and the #ContextOfIslands with a donation today → pasquines.us/donate.