After repeated efforts by the Samoan independence movement, the New Zealand Western Samoa Act 1961 of 24 November 1961 granted Samoa independence effective 1 January 1962, upon which the Trusteeship Agreement terminated. Samoa also signed a friendship treaty with New Zealand. Samoa, the first small-island country in the Pacific to become independent, joined the Commonwealth of Nations on 28 August 1970. While independence was achieved at the beginning of January, Samoa annually celebrates 1 June as its independence day.
What act gave Samoa independence? What exact date did Samoan independence go into effect? What's the name of the agreement that ended with the start of Samoa's independence from New Zealand? Where was Samoa in the order of small-island countries in their region declaring independence? On what date do Samoans celebrate their independence from New Zealand?