Northern Mariana Islands Colonial Records

Spanish Colonization (1521-1898)
The Spanish first arrived on the islands in 1521. In 1898, Spain ceded Guam to the United States and sold the remainder to Germany.

German Colonization (1898-1919)
Germany bought the Northern Marianas from Spain in 1898. Japan invaded the Northern Marianas in 1919 and took control.

Japanese Colonization (1919-1944)
Japan invaded the Northern Marianas in 1919. The United States invaded in 1944 and took control of the islands.

United States Colonization (1944-today)
The United States invaded the Marianas in 1944 and took control from Japan. The Northern Marianas are a Commonwealth of the United States.