The island of Guam, largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean, about 3,000 miles west of Hawaii, was found on this date in 1521 by the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan. The island was formally claimed by Spain in 1565 and was later ceded to the US as a prize at the end of the Spanish-American War. Today, Guam is the site of major US military installations. Guamanians celebrate their island’s founding with an official holiday on the first Monday in March with fiestas and sailboating. This day is also known as Discovery Day. Discuss
Source: The Free Dictionary