1995 32c Republic of Palau

U.S. #2999
1995 32¢ Republic of Palau
Independence Issue

Issue Date: September 29, 1995
City: Agana, Guam
Quantity: 85,000,000
Printed By: Sterling Sommers for Ashton-Potter (USA) Ltd
Printing Method: Lithographed
Perforations: 11.1
Color: Multicolored

During World War II Japan established a powerful empire based in the Pacific Ocean. After the war many small island groups were left without government, and did not have the resources to rule themselves. In 1947 the United Nations established the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Administered by the U.S. government, the territory consisted of the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands (except Guam), the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Palau Islands.

By 1986 only Palau remained as a member of this Trust Territory. Palau attempted to become an independent state in frees association with the U.S. several times  a status in which its government would control its own affairs, but the U.S. would be responsible for defense and economic aid. But these efforts were blocked by the failure to reach a 75 percent approval by plebiscite (a direct vote in which the entire electorate votes on a proposal) that was necessary to override Palau's constitutional ban on nuclear weapons.

Then on October 1, 1994, the Republic of Palau voted for independence. One year later the U.S. joined Palau in commemorating the occasion with a joint issue. Identical in their design, these stamps feature Palaua's flag and colorful marine life found in the area.