The Nation - News from Nov. 4, 1986
- Share via
About 18,000 residents of the Northern Mariana islands became U.S. citizens as the islands in the central Pacific officially became a U.S. commonwealth. Adm. James Lyons Jr., Pacific Fleet commander, presented Gov. Pedro Toniaro with the first U.S. passport in a Saipan ceremony marking the adoption of commonwealth status under a 1978 agreement. The U.S. Trust Territory of the Pacific is being dismantled as islands assume greater self-government while retaining economic ties to the United States, which will provide defense and economic aid.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
