Manu'a Cession Day commemorates the anniversary when Tui Manu'a Elisara and other chiefs signed the Treaty of Cession of Manu'a on July 16, 1904, and the unity of all the Samoan islands within the territory of American Samoa.

When is Manu'a Cession Day?

Manu'a Cession Day in American Samoa is celebrated every year on July 16.

The following is the list of Manu'a Cession Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Manu'a Cession Day?

The Manu'a Islands are a small group in American Samoa, located east of Tutuila. While Tutuila and Aunu'u became part of the United States through the Treaty of Cession of Tutuila (April 17, 1900), Manu'a remained under the leadership of its local chiefs, especially Tui Manu'a Elisara, who was the last traditional sovereign of Manu'a.

On July 16, 1904, Tui Manu'a Elisara and other chiefs signed the Treaty of Cession of Manu'a. The treaty ceded sovereignty of Manu'a to the United States, completing the unification of all the islands of American Samoa under U.S. authority.

Unlike Tutuila, where there was little resistance, Manu'a's cession was more sensitive because the Tui Manu'a title carried deep cultural and political importance. As part of the agreement, the U.S. promised to respect Samoan customs, land rights, and traditions, allowing the fa'a Samoa (Samoan way of life) to remain central in daily governance.

After 1904, Manu'a came under the administration of the U.S. Navy, which governed American Samoa until 1951.

Tui Manu'a Elisara, who signed the treaty, passed away in 1909, marking the symbolic end of the Tui Manu'a monarchy. The title has not been officially revived since. The holiday underscores the importance of unity within American Samoa and highlights how the treaties of 1900 and 1904 together shaped the territory's modern identity.