The CNMI celebrates tomorrow a milestone that was crossed about 42 years ago that gave the Northern Mariana Islands its status as a commonwealth. <\/p>\n
On March 24, 1976, the U.S government signed the agreement known as the Covenant Agreement that allowed the Northern Mariana Islands to enter into a political union with the United States, but with the right to local self-government. That day has since become known as Covenant Day.<\/p>\n
However, since then, many no longer remember the day\u2019s importance. The Saipan Tribune went out to ask what exactly Covenant Day means to the islands today. <\/p>\n
—<\/p>\n
\u201cCovenant Day means a lot to our people. Our forefathers met with the United States delegation to negotiate our Commonwealth and what we can and cannot control.\u201d
\n\u2014Saipan Mayor David Apatang<\/p>\n
\u201cIt [Covenant Day] was a historical event for the people of the CNMI. The Covenant is an agreement which established the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands. It established a political union with the United States.\u201d
\n\u2014Joann Aquino, Saipan Mayor\u2019s Office<\/p>\n
\u201cCovenant Day was when we became a part of the United States and it was the day we were given U.S. citizenship. The Covenant also paved the way for us to establish our constitution.\u201d
\n\u2014Larissa Flores, Saipan Mayor\u2019s Office<\/p>\n
\u201cCovenant Day signifies the Commonwealth\u2019s relationship with the United States and our United States citizenship.
\n\u2014Henry Hofschneider, Saipan Mayor\u2019s Office<\/p>\n
\u201cCovenant Day is a time when I reflect on the struggles of past generations and the measures they took to choose a political status for the indigenous people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas. It also opened up closer political ties with the United States and opened up a dialogue in the United States House of Representative by giving the CNMI a seat in the House of Representatives through the enactment of legislation.\u201d
\n\u2014Danny Aquino, CNMI Museum<\/p>\n
\u201cCovenant Day is significant because, with the signing of the Covenant came a variety of opportunities for the islands\u2019 indigenous people as a result of the U.S. citizenship that came with the establishment of the Commonwealth.\u201d
\n\u2014Hanzel Campollo Batan, DFS Galleria <\/p>\n
\u201cI know that, if it were not for Covenant Day, we wouldn\u2019t have all the amazing benefits that were once only exclusive to Americans. Today means celebration of our freedom.\u201d
\n\u2014Jose Marks, San Jose<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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