1971, January

Patsy Mink, Member of U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii, publishes law review article critical of United States administration of Micronesia

1971, February 12

Congress of Micronesia, over strong Northern Mariana Islands opposition, adopts income tax law

1971, February 15

Publication of Pentagon Papers by New York Times begins

1971, February 19

Marianas District Legislature Resolution 30-1971 threatens secession from Trust Territory, by force of arms if necessary

1971, February 20

Congress of Micronesia legislative chambers on Saipan destroyed by arson

1971, March

Young Micronesian, student newspaper at University of Hawaii, prints excerpts from Solomon Report

1971, March 13

President Nixon appoints F. Haydn Williams as his Personal Representative for Micronesian Status Negotiations, with rank of Ambassador

1971, March 31

U.S. National Security Council paper describes United States strategic interests in Micronesia

1971, May 5-22

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1971, June

Blaz and Lee publish The Cross of Micronesia in Naval War College Review

1971, June 17

United States, Japan sign Okinawa Reversion Treaty

1971, June 28

President Nixon issues negotiating instructions to Ambassador Williams

1971, June 30

Micronesian leaders officially informed of March 13, 1971, appointment of Ambassador Williams as President’s Personal Representative

1971, July 1

United States Congress enacts Micronesian Claims Act, Public Law 92-39, establishing a Micronesian Claims Commission to assess damage claims from World War II and immediate postwar era

1971, July 10

The Micronitor newspaper in the Marshall Islands prints excerpts from the Solomon Report

1971, July 28

United States establishes Office of Micronesian Status Negotiations

1971, August 20

Congress of Micronesia formally rejects United States offer of Commonwealth

1971, October 4-12

3d Round of Micronesian political status negotiations in Hana, Hawaii; United States proposes Compact of Association in which Micronesians will have full control over all lands and other resources; Joint Committee on Future Status acknowledges Marianas desire for closer relationship with United States; private meeting between United States Ambassador Arthur Hummel and Marianas delegates to Joint Committee on Future Status

1971, October 25

Peoples Republic of China replaces Nationalist China in United Nations

1971, November 30

Trust Territory High Commissioner Johnston’s home on Saipan damaged by arson

1971, November 10

United States Senate gives advice and consent to Okinawa Reversion Treaty

1971, December

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1972, February 3-19

Stanley Carpenter, Director of the Office of Territorial Affairs in the U.S. Department of the Interior, visits Micronesia

1972, February 17-27

President Nixon visits China

1972, March 2

United States Interagency Group meeting on Micronesian status hears report on Carpenter’s trip to Trust Territory

1972, April 2-13

4th Round of Micronesian Status Negotiations in Koror; Final Joint Communique recites agreement that Micronesian lands will be under Micronesian control; Northern Mariana Islands asks for separate negotiations

1972, April 2-15

W. Tapley Bennett, United States Representative to United Nations Trusteeship Council, tours Micronesia

1972, April 12

United States agrees to Northern Mariana Islands request for separate status negotiations

1972, May

President Nixon signs Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT) in Moscow

1972, May

Northern Mariana Islands delegation reports on separate status intentions at United Nations Trusteeship Council

1972, May 13

Marianas District Legislature resolution endorses separate status negotiations

1972, May 15

United States returns Okinawa to Japan

1972, May 19

Marianas District Legislature enacts District Law 3-124, establishing Marianas Political Status Commission

1972, June 17

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1972, July 12 - August 1

5th Round of Micronesian Status Negotiations in Washington DC; Ambassador Williams recites United States agreement that Micronesians will control their lands and resources.

1972, August

Congress of Micronesia Resolution 117 instructs Joint Committee on Future Status to address independence as well as free association; Congress of Micronesia repudiates 5th Round partial agreements by Joint Future Status Committee

1972, September 28-October 6

6th Round of Micronesian Status Negotiations in Barbers Point, Hawaii; beginning of Micronesian refusal to negotiate until public lands are returned

1972, October 20

Congress of Micronesia enacts Public Law 4C-92, creating Joint Committee on Law of the Sea

1972, November

President Nixon defeats George McGovern in presidential election

1972, November

Traditional chiefs, magistrates, and legislators in Palau issue declaration against use of lands by United States military, demand return of public lands, and make return a precondition to resumption of status talks

1972, December

Marianas Political Status Commission hires attorney Howard Willens, economic consultant James Leonard

1972, December 13-14

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1973

1st session, 3d United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, New York

1973, January

President Nixon inaugurated for 2d term as President

1973, January 27

Paris Peace Accords signed, ending direct United States involvement in Vietnam

1973, February 1 – March __

United Nations Visiting Mission observes conditions in Micronesia

1973, February 23

Congress of Micronesia adopts resolution stating Micronesian intention to claim international ocean rights consistent with island realities

1973, April 13

National Security Council Under Secretaries Committee gives President Nixon detailed study, recommendations by Ambassador Williams on Northern Mariana Islands status options

1973, April 30

Presidential aides Haldeman, Erlichman resign, presidential counsel Dean fired as consequence of Watergate break-in

1973, May

Congress of Micronesia, Joint Committee on Law of the Sea, Law of the Sea: the Preliminary Micronesian Position , asserts 12-mi. territorial sea; Joint Committee on Law of the Sea meets with members of United States delegation to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

1973, May 7

U.S. Department of Interior reorganization: Deputy Assistant Secretary for Territorial Affairs becomes Director, Office of Territorial Affairs

1973, May 8

District Administrators conference in Majuro; includes presentations by Ambassador Williams, Congress of Micronesia Senator Lazarus Salii on return of public lands

1973, May 14--May 18

Consultation on law of sea between Congress of Micronesia delegation and United States officials in Washington DC; Micronesians ask for separate standing at United Nations Conference on Law of Sea if United States not able to support Micronesian positions

1973, May 15 – June 4

Second session of Marianas Political Status Negotiations

1973, May 29

United States position paper at Marianas status negotiations states U.S. policy that public lands will be returned to people of Northern Mariana Islands

1973, June 3

Ambassador Williams’ Land Statement in Marianas political status negotiations reiterates that all public land will be returned to people of Northern Mariana Islands

1973, June 4

Joint Communique from Marianas political status negotiations reiterates United States commitment to return public lands to people of Northern Mariana Islands

1973, June 8

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1973, August

Congress of Micronesia’s Joint Committee on Law of the Sea meets with United Nations ‘Seabed’ Committee in Geneva; United States Delegation asks for documentation of Micronesian ocean rights

1973, August 15

Bombing of Cambodia halted, ending 12 years of United States combat activity in Southeast Asia

1973, October 5

Secretary of Interior Morton approves United States Policy for Early Return of Micronesian Public Lands

1973, October 10

Spiro Agnew resigns as Vice President of United States

1973, October 12

President Nixon nominates Gerald R. Ford as Vice President

1973, October 17

Arab oil embargo begins

1973, October 22-27

United States Working Group on Micronesia (part of the United States delegation to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) visits Micronesia

1973, November 1

Secretary of Interior Morton approves United States Policy for Early Return of Micronesian Public Lands; Ambassador Williams informs High Commissioner Johnston of Policy; provides Policy and Background Paper on U.S. Decision to Return Micronesian Public Lands to District Control

1973, November 9

District Administrators conference on United States Policy for Early Return of Micronesian Public Lands

1973, November 11

"Saturday Night Massacre"—President Nixon fires Special Watergate Prosecutor Archibald Cox and Deputy Attorney General William D. Ruckelshaus; Attorney General Elliott L. Richardson resigns

1973, November 12

Press reports Micronesian status talks to resume

1973, November 13

Ambassador Williams, United States delegation meet at Department of Interior in Washington DC with Micronesian Status Delegation, including Northern Mariana Islands members, on United States Policy for Early Return of Micronesian Public Lands

1973, November 14-21

7th Round of Micronesian political status negotiations, Washington DC

1973, December 6-19

3d Session, Marianas Political Status negotiations; Marianas Political Status Commission announces readiness to accept Land Return Policy as satisfactory resolution of public land issues in Northern Mariana Islands if promptly implemented

1973, December 6

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1974, ___

Congress of Micronesia charges 3 Trust Territory employees with contempt for providing land information to United States status negotiators but not to Congress of Micronesia

1974, January 14

M. Nakayama & F. Ramp, Micronesian Navigation, Island Empires and Traditional Concepts of Ownership of the Sea published

1974

2d session, 3d United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, Caracas

1974, January 14-17

Congress of Micronesia’s Joint Committee on Law of the Sea meets with Bernard Oxman, of United States delegation to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, on Saipan

1974, February 27

Congress of Micronesia ratifies Law of the Sea: the Preliminary Micronesian Position, which asserts 12-mi. territorial sea

1974, March 1

7 aides to President Nixon indicted for Watergate-related activities; President Nixon named an unindicted co-conspirator

1974, April 1

Secretary of Interior eliminates restrictions on foreign investment in Micronesia

1974, early April

U.S. Ambassador Williams meets privately with Joint Committee on Future Status co-chairmen Lazarus Salii, Ekpap Silk in Carmel, California

1974, May 9

United States House Judiciary Committee begins hearings on impeachment of President Nixon

1974, May 15-31

4th Session, Marianas Political Status Negotiations, on Saipan

1974, May 21-23

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1974, July 16

United States Court of Appeals for 9th Circuit decides People of Saipan v. United States Department of Interior, holding Trusteeship Agreement created rights that the people of Micronesia may enforce in court

1974, July 24

United States Supreme Court orders President Nixon to surrender subpoenaed tape recordings

1974, July 30

House Judiciary Committee adopts 3 articles of impeachment against President Nixon

1974, August 5

President Nixon surrenders tape recordings, showing obstruction of FBI probe of Watergate break-in

1974, August 9

President Nixon resigns; Gerald R. Ford sworn in as U.S. President

1974, September

Congress of Micronesia asks United States to help it attain observer status at United Nations Convention on Law of Sea

1974, October 29-30

Ambassador Williams, Lazarus Salii, Ekpap Silk meet informally at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to discuss return of public lands, Micronesian law of sea interests

1974, December 9-10

U.S. Department of Interior convenes meeting in Honolulu on return of public lands; elected Micronesian representatives walk out

1974, December 28

U.S. Department of Interior Secretarial Order No. 2969 promulgated, detailing mechanism for return of public lands

1974, December – 1975 February

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1975

3d session, 3d United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, Geneva

1975, February 15

Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands signed by United States Delegation and Marianas Political Status Commission

1975, February 20

Covenant unanimously approved by the Marianas District Legislature

1975, April 10

U.S. Department of Interior Secretarial Order 2973 and Proclamation promulgated, authorizing plebiscite on Covenant and setting procedures and date therefor

1975, April 11

President Ford appoints Erwin Canham, former editor of Christian Science Monitor, as Plebiscite Commissioner for plebiscite on Covenant

1975, April 21

1st report of Trust Territory Government’s Ad Hoc Committee on Return of Public Lands

1975, April 29

TTPI Government’s Ad Hoc Committee on Return of Public Lands meets with Acting Director of Office of Territorial Affairs, U.S. Department of Interior, in Washington, DC

1975, May 12

United States merchant ship, SS Mayaguez, seized by Khmer Rouge in international waters off Cambodia

1975, May 15

2d report of Trust Territory Government’s Ad Hoc Committee on Return of Public Lands, on April 29, 1975 meeting

1975, June 12-June 19

United Nations Visiting Mission observes plebiscite in Northern Mariana Islands

1975, June 17

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1975, July 21

U.S. House of Representatives approves Covenant

1975, September 5

President Ford escapes assassination attempt

1975, September 16

Papua New Guinea attains independence; Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands is last remaining United Nations trusteeship

1975, September 22

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1976

4th, 5th sessions, 3d United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, New York

1976, January 16

Office of Territorial Affairs of U.S. Department of Interior issues staff study on concerns regarding the transfer of public lands under Secretarial Order 2969

1976, February

Report by Congress of Micronesia’s Special Joint Committee on Marianas Transition

1976, February 24

U.S. Senate adopts amended resolution to approve Covenant

1976, March 24

President Ford signs Public Law 94-241, 90 Stat. 263, approving Covenant; U.S. Department of Interior Secretarial Order No. 2989 promulgated

1976, April 1

U.S. Department of Interior Secretarial Order No. 2989 becomes effective, administratively separating Northern Mariana Islands from rest of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and transferring public lands to Northern Mariana Islands; Northern Marianas participation in Congress of Micronesia ends

1976, April 13

United States Congress enacts Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Public Law 94-265, 16 USC §§ 1801 et seq.; conference report specifies Act does not apply to Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

1976, May-June

8th Round of Micronesian political status negotiations takes place on Saipan, with principal focus on law of sea issues; compact initialed in all other areas

1976, June (?)

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1976, July 4

National celebration of Bicentennial of the United States

1976, August 2-September 17

3d United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea meets in New York City

1976, October 18

Northern Mariana Islands constitutional convention convened

1976, November 2

James E. Carter defeats President Ford in presidential election

1976, December 5

Northern Mariana Islands Constitution drafted and adopted by Constitutional Convention

1976, December 11

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1977

6th session, 3d United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, New York

1977, January 20

James E. Carter sworn in as U.S. President

1977, March 6

Northern Mariana Islands Constitution ratified by public vote

1977, April 21

Northern Mariana Islands Constitution submitted to President Carter for approval

1977, May 18-21

Carter Administration hosts talks in Honolulu on reviving Micronesian status negotiations

1977, July

United States agrees on 2-tiered status talks, to involve separate delegations from Marshalls, Palau, and remainder of Micronesia

1977, September 1

United States, USSR, 13 other nations sign nuclear nonproliferation pact

1977, October 17

Micronesian Fishery Zones Jurisdiction Act approved by High Commissioner; established 200-mile fishery conservation zone and Micronesian Maritime Authority (does not include Northern Mariana Islands)

1977, October 24-27

1st round of renewed Micronesian status negotiations, in Molokai, Hawaii

1977, October 24

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1978

7th session, 3d United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, Geneva and New York

1978, January 9

Constitutional government implemented in the NMI; Carlos Camacho, 1st Northern Mariana Islands governor, takes office, assuming executive authority previously exercised by High Commissioner of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands Adrian P. Winkel; United States agrees to allow Northern Mariana Islands citizens entry into United States as though United States citizens

1978, January 11

Federal Register notice that United States fishery conservation zone now includes waters around Northern Mariana Islands

1978, April 18

United States Senate approves Panama Canal treaty

1978, July 12

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1979

8th session, 3d United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, Geneva and New York

1979, July 18

United States Coast Guard boards Northern Mariana Islands tuna boat MV Olwol and orders it ashore

1979

Marianas Fisheries v. Kreps, filed in United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, challenging U.S. Coast Guard detention of fishing vessel MV Olwol

1979, August 20

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands v. United States filed in United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, challenging U.S. Coast Guard detention of fishing vessel MV Olwol

1979, November 4

United States citizens taken hostage in Iran

1979, December 27

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1980

9th session, 3d United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, New York and Geneva

1980

Northern Mariana Islands Marine Sovereignty Act enacted

1980, January 30

United States Immigration and Naturalization Service reverses policy that Northern Mariana Islands citizens may enter United States as though United States citizens

1980, February 14

Carter Administration "Comprehensive Federal Territorial Policy" released

1980, February 16

President Carter appoints 6 members of Northern Mariana Islands Commission on Federal Laws, names Under Secretary of Interior James Joseph as Chair

1980, February 21

Presidential Proclamation 4726 suspends application of certain federal vessel documentation laws to Northern Mariana Island, mooting MV litigation

1980, March

President Carter appoints Rep. Phillip Burton as 7th member of Northern Mariana Islands Commission on Federal Laws

1980, March 24

United States Immigration and Naturalization Service rescinds January 30, 1980, determination that Northern Mariana Islands citizens may not enter United States as though United States citizens

1980, November 4

Ronald Reagan defeats President Carter in Presidential election