2019-10-01 Tue

Palau’s Independence Day is every 1 October. This marks the date in the year 1994 when Palau became a fully independent nation.

The Republic of Palau is a small island nation in the southern Pacific Ocean, near the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. In the 18th century, the British had a more prominent presence. In the 19th century, Spanish influence dominated the country. After the Spanish-American War, Spain sold Palau to Germany in 1899. In 1914, the Treaty of Versailles gave Japan control over Palau.

In 1947, after World War II, Palau became one of six island districts that became part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands that were to be administered by the United States. As part of its mandate, the United States was to improve Palau's infrastructure and educational system so that it could eventually become a self-sufficient nation.

Palau approved a new constitution in 1981, and then signed a Compact of Free Association with the United States in 1982. The Compact went into effect on October 1, 1994, making Palau an independent nation. To commemorate the independence of Palau, Department of Post issued a se-tenant series of five stamps with the denomination of 29 cents.

The stamps from left to right depict a young girl with a bird taking a flight, a medal from the office of the president, Japanese president, and the US president shaking hands, flags of Palau and USA and the musical notes of the national anthem of Palau. The sheet is inscribed with Independence Day flanked by the Republic of Belau on the left and 1 October 1994 on the right. Image Courtesy: Colnect

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