Travel
80th Guam Liberation Anniversary: Upcoming events & activities
Guam Visitors Bureau
July 8, 2024
(Guam Liberation Day)
LIBERATION MASS
Where: Agaña Cathedral-Basilica, Hagåtña
When: July 19 at 4 p.m.
Notes: Mass will be said in CHamoru
UNIFIED MEMORIAL
Where: Plaza de España, Hagåtña
When: July 19 at 6 p.m.
STATIC DISPLAY MEMORIAL
Where: Plaza de España, Hagåtña
When: July 19, 20, 21 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Notes: This event is co-hosted by the Office of the Governor and Lt. Governor, GVB, and the Guam Legislature. There will be 3,050 luminaries.
WWII VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE
Where: Guam Museum, Hagåtña
When: Showings will take place at the Guam Museum in Hagåtña on July 17, 18, 19, and 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reserve a seat on Eventbrite. Walk-ins welcome. Showings will be available on Liberation Day, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No online reservations will be taken for July 21. Walk-ins only. First come, first serve.
Notes: Hosted by the Pacific Historic Parks (A nonprofit 501(c)(3) cooperating association Pacific Historic Parks developed a Guam Virtual Reality (VR) program that brings to life World War II on Guam and its impact on the Chamorro people. The program incorporates storytelling and an immersive experience to a broader audience by featuring oral histories of war survivors. Through virtual reality, the audience will be able to feel connected to the past and gain a deeper understanding of the perspective of those who experienced the events of World War II. The virtual reality showcases five pivotal events in Guam’s World War II history: the Japanese surprise air attack of Guam from an aerial point of view in December 1941; the invasion of Guam on December 8, 1 1941, at the Plaza de Espana; the occupation experience as seen through the eyes of the people in the village of Malesso’ Geus Valley rice fields; the Chamorro resistance at Atate in July 1944; and the battle for Guam between the Americans and Japanese Military forces.PHP brought the VR experience to both public, private and charter Guam high schools and will offer the program to the public in July.
LIBERATION BLOCK PARTY
Where: Chamorro Village Huts & Paseo, Hagåtña
When: July 20 & July 21, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Notes: Featuring games, kids activities, live music and international performances. Vendors interested in participating must submit completed applications to GVB by 5:00pm on Friday, June 28.
VENDOR APPLICATION (PDF)
80TH ANNUAL LIBERATION DAY PARADE
Where: Marine Corps Drive. The parade will also be broadcast on PBS Guam KGTF TV Channel 12 and livestreamed on youtube.com/@pbsguam.
When: Sunday, July 21. Parade will start at 8 a.m., with floats departing Adelup.
Liberation 5k & Liberation Mile
Where: Marine Corps Drive. The 5k race starts at Chamorro Village with a turnaround at Adelup.
When: Liberation 5k starts at 6 a.m. & Liberation Mile starts at 7:21 a.m.
Notes: Register with the Guam Running Club online. Information will follow. Participants will receive a t-shirt for the 5K race and a towel for the 1-mile run. Registration is $10 for the 5K and $5 for the 1-mile run.
FIREWORKS
Where: Fireworks will be shot at Ft. Apugan, Hagåtña Treatment Plant, and Statue of Liberty Park
When: Sunday, July 21 at 7:21 p.m. (15 Minute Show)