Independence Day in the Marshall Islands

At the beginning of World War I, Japan took control of the Marshall Islands, first under civil and later under naval administration. Japan’s headquarters were located on Jalwoj Atoll. U.S. military troops took control from the Japanese in early l944 following major battles on Kuwajleen and Anewetak Atolls. In l947, the United States entered into agreement with the U.N. Security Council to administer the islands formerly administered by the Japanese. The new agreement was known as Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI), of which the Marshall Islands were a part. The United States undertook nuclear testing on Pikinni and Anewetak Atolls from 1946 to 1958, with 69 test detonations. On May l, l979, the United States rec­ognized the Constitution of the Marshall Islands and the establishment of the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. After nearly forty years of U.S. administration as a U.N. Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands attained independence on October 21, 1986, under a Compact of Free Association signed by President Ronald Reagan on that date. Under the Compact, the U.S. will continue use of the Kwajalein Atoll missile test range for at least 30 years.