SAIPAN — The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands marks the 50th anniversary of the Covenant today with a full day of commemorative events, spanning a documentary screening and panel discussion, a historical exhibit and a trivia night, all organized under the banner of Commonwealth Jubilee: A Celebration of Unity and Heritage.
The day begins at American Memorial Park’s Indoor Theatre, where organizers will present “Fifty Years of the Covenant: Promise, Progress, and Perspective” from 9 a.m. to noon. The program features a documentary screening examining the defining moments behind March 24, 1976, followed by a panel discussion on the Covenant’s legacy, its impact today and the path ahead. Founding father Pete A. Tenorio is among those featured in the program.
From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Crowne Plaza Art Room in Garapan will host “Covenant at 50: A Legacy of Partnership,” an exhibit giving visitors the opportunity to view the original Covenant document and explore displays reflecting on the CNMI’s past, present and future. The exhibit runs concurrent with the morning program and remains open through the evening.
The day concludes with Commonwealth Jubilee Trivia Night at the Crowne Plaza in Garapan from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event, open to high school and college students, invites participants to register as a team or as an individual to compete for prizes while testing their knowledge of the Covenant. A documentary short film will also be screened as part of the evening program.
All three events are presented with support from the NMI Humanities Council, the CNMI America 250 Commission, the Smithsonian Festival of Festivals, the Commonwealth Council for Arts and Culture and the Commonwealth Covenant Anniversary Committee. Accessibility and accommodation inquiries may be directed to 670.235.4785 or info@america250cnmi.org. Trivia Night registration is available at tr.ee/JubileeTrivianight.
