By Office of Corporate Communications
May 3, 2019
On April 30, 2019, the U.S. Mint released a quarter honoring the American Memorial Park in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Later in the week, on May 3, 2019, the Mint launched another quarter honoring the War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam. These quarters are the second and third releases of 2019 as part of the America the Beautiful Quarters® Program.
The quarter launch ceremony for American Memorial Park was attended by 1,200 people including 1,000 school children, and included special guests Ralph Torres, Governor of CNMI, Arnold Palacios, Lieutenant Governor of CNMI, Barbara Alberti, Superintendent of American Memorial Park as well as David Ryder, Director of the United States Mint. Following the launch ceremony, the Bank of Guam exchanged $9,000 in American Memorial Park quarters.
The American Memorial Park Quarter honors the thousands of American troops and local residents of Saipan who gave their lives during the Marianas Campaign of World War II. The design depicts a young woman in traditional attire at the front of the Flag Circle and Court of Honor. She is resting her hand on the plaque whose text honors the 5,204 service members who died.
The War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarter launch ceremony was attended by 700 individuals, including 350 children and included special guests Lou Leon Guerrero, Governor of Guam, Josh Tenorio, Lieutenant Governor of Guam, Barbara Alberti, Superintendent of the War in the Pacific National Historical Park, and David Ryder, Director of the U.S. Mint. After the launch ceremony, the Bank of Guam exchanged $16,000 in War in the Pacific National Historical Park quarters.
The War in the Pacific National Historical Park Quarter honors the bravery, courage, and sacrifice of those participating in the campaigns of the Pacific Theater during World War II. The design depicts American forces coming ashore at Asan Bay, strengthening the number of troops on the island in the fight for Guam and its eventual liberation.
Additional Resources
Games
Play Coin Memory Match using America the Beautiful quarters, including the American Memorial Park in the Northern Mariana Islands and War in the Pacific National Historical Park in Guam.
Try your hand at finding key terms relating to the 2019 Guam and Northern Mariana Islands in Word Quest. This game is a supplemental tool to reinforce key terms for students learning about War in the Pacific National Historical Park and American Memorial Park.
Lesson Plans
Interested in educational resources related to the Northern Marianas Islands and Guam? Check out the following free lesson plans:
- Extra! Extra! Read All About the American Memorial Park and War in the Pacific National Historical Park (Grades 3-6): Students will play the role of a local news reporter and write an article about a national historical park or memorial and its significance to American history. Students will also learn what a memorial and historical park is, discover the difference between living and non-living memorials, and design their own park or memorial.
- Island Inquiry (Grades 4-6): Students will describe the physical, geographical, historical, and cultural characteristics of the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Past Meets Present (Grades 4-6): Students will demonstrate an understanding of how geographical location affects the daily life of people in a country.
- Groovy Guam (Grades 2-3): Students will identify geographical features important to a physical map. Students will understand vocabulary and symbols from an ancient culture.
- Parts of a Flower (Grades K-2): Students will identify and label parts of a flower.
- Transport, Past and Present (Grades K-1): Students will describe different modes of transportation from the past and present.
See more Inside the Mint articles.