Happy 52nd Independence

The Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi and the Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia Tamasese were among a host of leaders who attended a special prayer service at the Mulivai Cathedral yesterday evening.

The occasion was a thanksgiving service to begin the official celebration of Samoa’s 52nd Independence Day.

Usually held at the Prayer House at Mt. Vaea, last night’s service was attended by who’s who of Samoa including member of the Council of Deputies, Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II.

Also present was Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and leaders of government bodies.

Members of the diplomatic corps, friends of Samoa as well as members of the business community were strongly represented.

The service was conducted by the Chairman of the National Council of Churches, Deacon Kasiano Le’aupepe.

Addressing the country, he said that in times like this, it is utterly important for Samoa to pause and give thanks for God’s guidance upon Samoa.

Deacon Le’aupepe reminded that Samoa is founded on God. The Chairman was assisted by Reverend Ma’auga F. Motu.

Last night’s service followed the first official activity of this year’s Independence, which was the fautasi regatta on Saturday. The race was won by Le Tolotolo o Tama Uli from Salelologa.

This morning at 5am, thousands of people are expected at the Malae o Tiafau where the traditional celebration will be held throughout the day. The celebration will be marked by a national holiday tomorrow.

History

Samoa’s independence was not easily achieved. From 1908, with the establishment of the Mau movement, Western Samoans began to assert their claim to independence.

The early beginnings of the national Mau movement began in 1908 with the 'Mau a Pule' resistance on Savai'i, led by orator chief Lauaki Namulau'ulu Mamoe. Lauaki and Mau a Pule chiefs, wives and children were exiled to Saipan in 1909. Many died in exile.

Shortly after the outbreak of World War I, in August 1914, New Zealand sent an expeditionary force to seize and occupy German Samoa.

Although Germany refused to officially surrender the islands, no resistance was offered and the occupation took place without any fighting. New Zealand continued the occupation of Western Samoa throughout World War I.

In 1919, under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany relinquished its claims to the islands.

The Mau movement gained momentum with Samoa's royal leaders becoming more visible in supporting the peoples movement but strongly opposed violence. On 28 December 1929 Tupua Tamasese was shot along with eleven others during a peaceful demonstration in Apia. Tupua Tamasese died the following day, with the advice that no more blood should be shed.

New Zealand administered Western Samoa first as a League of Nations Mandate and then as a United Nations trusteeship until the country received its independence on 1 January 1962 as Western Samoa.

Samoa's first prime minister following independence was paramount chief Fiame Mata'afa Faumuina Mulinu'u II.

Samoa was the first Polynesian people to be recognized as a sovereign nation in the 20th century. In 1977, Queen Elizabeth II visited the Samoa during her tour of the Commonwealth.

In July 1997 the constitution was amended to change the country's name from "Western Samoa"

to "Samoa." Samoa had been known simply as "Samoa" in the United Nations since joining the organization in 1976.

In 2002, New Zealand's prime minister Helen Clark formally apologized for two incidents during the period of New Zealand's administration: a failure in 1918 to quarantine the SS Talune, which carried the 'Spanish 'flu' to Samoa, leading to an epidemic which devastated the Samoan population, and the shooting of leaders of the non-violent Mau movement during a ceremonial procession in 1929.

In 2007, Samoa's first Head of State, His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II, died at the age of 95.

He held this title jointly with Tupua Tamasese Lealofi until his death in 1963.