USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -500 A.D. Chamorro people, of Malay origin, migrated to Guam. 1521 Ferdinand Magellan, of Portugal, called it “Isla de Ladrones” (Island of Thieves) because islanders took whatever they could from his ship as payment for the food and water they had given the crew.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Mariana Islands (also the Marianas; up to the early 20th century sometimes called Islas de los Ladrones meaning “Islands of Thieves") are a group of islands made up by the summits of 15 volcanic mountains in the western Pacific Ocean.

Detailed explanation-3: -He named the chain of islands Islas de los Ladrones-which means “Islands of Thieves” in Spanish-because islanders took a small boat from the arriving fleet.

Detailed explanation-4: -They stole a skiff from one of his ships so he ordered his soldiers to burn Chamorro dwellings during which some were killed. He named the place Isla de Ladrones, Thieves’ Island. Later, the galleons of the Acapulco-Manila trade always stopped in Guam for repairs and supplies before crossing the Pacific Ocean.

Detailed explanation-5: -How did Guam get its name: When sailors from Spain came to Guam, the native Chamorro people would run out to their ships to sell fruit, calling “Guahan!” “Guahan” means “I have, ” and it sounded like “Guam” to the Spanish sailors, who named the island after this greeting.