1997 Death Peter Tali Coleman, Governor of Americ Samoa (1956-61, 78-85, 89-93), dies 1963 Event Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II becomes chief of Western Samoa 1962 Event Western Samoa gains independence from New Zealand, Susuga Malietoa Tanumafili II becomes co-chief of Western Samoa 1961 Birthday Eric Stoltz, American Samoa, actor, Mask 1960 Event American Samoa sets up a constitutional government 1943 Birthday Eni Faleomavaega, born in Vailoatai Village, American Samoa, Representative-D-American Samoa 1989 1937 Birthday Fofo losefa Fiti Sunia, born in Fagasa, Pago Pago, Representative-D-American Samoa 1981 - 1988 1929 Event American Samoa organizes as territory of U.S. 1925 Event Swain's Island (near American Samoa) annexed by U.S. 1912 Event French/British troops lands on Samoa 1904 Event Islands of Manu'a group (Samoa) ceded to U.S. by their chiefs 1901 Birthday Margaret Mead, born in Philadelphia, anthropologist, Coming of Age in Samoa 1900 Event 7 high chiefs of American Samoa sign Instrument of Cession 1899 Event U.S. and Germany agree to divide Samoa between them 1889 Event 6 U.S. and German warships perish in harbor of Apia Samoa, 200 die
