Manu’a Cession Day: History and Significance of public holiday in American Samoa

Manu’a Cession Day is a public holiday in American Samoa on July 16th every year. This holiday celebrates the islands of Manu’a that were surrendered to the United States and joining American Samoa on this day in 1904.

Manu’a Cession Day History

The Samoan Islands are an archipelago that covers a little more than 3,000 km2 (1,170 sq mi) in the central South Pacific. In the late 19th century, Germany and the United States conceded to the partition of the islands, with the western half coming under German control, with the eastern islands becoming American Samoa, an unincorporated region of the United States on April 17th, 1900. Around then the High Chiefs of Manu’a didn’t wish to surrender their group of islands and opted out of the agreement.

Toward the finish of the nineteenth century, Germany and the United States began a competition once again the Samoan Islands. The competition was finished by the Tripartite Convention, as indicated by which the Samoan Islands were partitioned into two sections. The eastern group of islands became what is present-day American Samoa, while a more prominent landmass owned Germany (German Samoa).

In 1904 the United States and Tui Manuʻa Elisala, the last Tuimanuʻa chief, signed a treaty, known as the Deed of Cession of Manu’a. As per the treaty, the Manu’a islands were surrendered to the USA and added to the American part of the Samoa Islands, to form American Samoa.

After four years in 1904, Tui Manu’a Elisara, the King of Manu’a, signed a Deed of Succession swearing devotion to the United States and surrendering the Manu’a Islands as a protectorate of the United States.

From that point forward, July 16th has been seen as Manu’a Cession Day, even though it was not made a public holiday until 1983 when the first official celebration was held in the Manu’a Islands with a church service, parade, and cultural activities.

Manu’a Cession Day is a governmental holiday. Local government offices are shut, however, the private sector stays open. Federal offices are likewise open. A special service is held in a church, and the youth arranges concerts of traditional songs and dance.