Marshall Islands Constitution Day
Friday, May 1, 2026
In 1526, First. Recorded Visit. Alvaro de Saavedra, a Spanish explorer, makes his first recorded visit to the Marshall Islands
History
Alvaro de Saavedra, a Spanish explorer, made the first recorded European visit to the Marshall Islands in 1526. Later explorers including William Marshall contributed to naming the atolls. Germany established a trading relationship in the 1870s before acquiring colonial control in 1885. Japan administered the islands after World War I, followed by United Nations trust territory status under US administration in 1947. The Compact of Free Association in 1986 established the Marshall Islands as a sovereign nation. Constitution Day on May 1, 1979 commemorates the adoption of the constitution and the establishment of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
How It's Celebrated
Celebrate by learning more about the occasion, sharing on social media with relevant hashtags, participating in community events, or taking small personal actions that align with the day's theme.