<P> The indigenous Chamorros settled the island approximately 4,000 years ago . Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan , while in the service of Spain , was the first European to visit the island , on March 6 , 1521 . Guam was colonized by Spain in 1668 with settlers , including Diego Luis de San Vitores , a Catholic Jesuit missionary . Between the 16th century and the 18th century , Guam was an important stopover for the Spanish Manila Galleons . During the Spanish -- American War , the United States captured Guam on June 21 , 1898 . Under the Treaty of Paris , Spain ceded Guam to the United States on December 10 , 1898 . Guam is among the seventeen non-self - governing territories listed by the United Nations . </P>
<P> The indigenous Chamorros settled the island approximately 4,000 years ago . Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan , while in the service of Spain , was the first European to visit the island , on March 6 , 1521 . Guam was colonized by Spain in 1668 with settlers , including Diego Luis de San Vitores , a Catholic Jesuit missionary . Between the 16th century and the 18th century , Guam was an important stopover for the Spanish Manila Galleons . During the Spanish -- American War , the United States captured Guam on June 21 , 1898 . Under the Treaty of Paris , Spain ceded Guam to the United States on December 10 , 1898 . Guam is among the seventeen non-self - governing territories listed by the United Nations . </P>
who did guam belong to before the us
who did guam belong to before the us
Spain
Spain