Saipan — The CNMI America250 Commission has announced the inaugural Commonwealth Jubilee, a three-day public event scheduled for March 22 through March 24 to mark the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Covenant.
Billed as “A Celebration of Unity and Heritage,” the event will commemorate the historic agreement that created the Commonwealth’s system of self-government, established its political status, and defined its relationship with the United States.
The Covenant was approved under U.S. Public Law 94-241 on March 24, 1976. The commission says it created the framework for the CNMI’s three-branch government, provided for local self-governance under a locally created constitution, and secured U.S. citizenship for the people of the Northern Mariana Islands.
The Jubilee will culminate on Covenant Day, March 24, which is a legal holiday in the Commonwealth.
The commission has organized the festival around three daily themes: “Exhibiting Enduring Traditions” on Day 1, “Embracing American Culture” on Day 2, and “Voyaging Through Self-Government” on Day 3.
Organizers say the event is intended to celebrate the CNMI’s history, cultural heritage, democratic foundations, and shared values, while also encouraging the community to reflect on 50 years of self-government and partnership with the United States.
The CNMI America250 Commission was established by Executive Order No. 2024-007, signed by Governor Arnold I. Palacios on August 8, 2024. The commission is responsible for planning commemorative events leading up to July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, while also honoring the 50th anniversary of the Covenant’s enactment.
The commission also said the Jubilee is part of Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals, a broader series of programs and exchanges tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary. The project also received funding from the Smithsonian’s “Our Shared Future: 250” initiative.
Festival locations and specific scheduled activities have not yet been announced. The commission said those details will be posted on its website when available.
