Kosrae Liberation Day in Micronesia Date in the current year: September 8, 2024

The island of Kosrae is the easternmost of the Caroline Islands, a scattered archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean. The Carolines used to be a Spanish overseas province for several centuries, but in 1899, Spain sold the archipelago to Germany.

Japan invaded and occupied the Carolines during World War I. After Germany’s defeat in the war, the Japanese Empire was granted a League of Nations mandate over the islands. Kosrae was de facto run by European missionaries; the Japanese were too busy fortifying the island and developing its military infrastructure in violation of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922.

During World War II, there was a Japanese garrison on Kosrae, but no battles occurred on the island. In February 1944, the United States Navy launched a massive attack on Truk (Chuuk) Lagoon, a part of the Caroline Islands where the Japanese had set up a large base. About a year and a half after defeating the Japanese at Truk, US forces liberated Kosrae. It happened on September 8, 1945.

After the war, administration over the Carolines passed to the United States. In 1977, Kosrae, Yap, Chuuk and Pohnpei joined to form the Federated States of Micronesia, an independent state in free association with the United States.

Kosrae Liberation Day is one of several regional holidays that are officially celebrated in the state of Kosrae, along with Kosrae Constitution Day and Gospel Day. It was first observed in 1946 and has been celebrated every year since.

Liberation Day celebrations in Kosrae usually include remembrance ceremonies to honor the memory of the victims of WWII, singing and dancing, sporting competitions, and traditional foods (taro, rice, chicken, pork, seafood). In addition, each town and village in the state has its own traditions of celebrating the day.