From the Trust Territory of Pacific to the Federated States of Micronesia

In 1947 the Japanese Mandate on the South Islands became the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands until the Trust Territory was dissolved on 10 July 1987. On 22 December 1990 the U.N. Security Council ratified the termination of trusteeship, the last step toward independence of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. During that era three flags flew in the Islands: the United Nations, USA and later TTPI flags. The Trust Territory adopted its own flag in 1962, a light blue flag with six white stars representing the six districts. From the end of the 1970s each district organized its own way to the future, in association with the USA or full independence. In this lecture I will speak mainly on the Federated States of Micronesia. The flag of the Federation is similar to the TTPI flag but with 4 stars. Each of the four states—Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap—have adopted their own flags using local symbols. Laws were promulgated about the protocol and the use of these flags. Some municipalities have adopted a flag but it was impossible to find information about their symbolism.

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