Samoa is a relatively small island, 1,093 sq. miles, with huge people.  Samoans, amongst other ethnic groups from that area, are known for being naturally very muscular and athletic. Samoans are also known for their tattoos. Samoa is an Island in the Pacific, and many from this region are simply called Pacific Islanders.

On this day December 2, in 1899, Germany and the U.S. agree to divide Samoa between them. This was a catalyst of the Second Samoan Civil War, and for Samoans this was not a celebrated day.  This war’s title may be misleading because it was foreign nations fighting over who would have control over this island.

Today Germany and United States officials met in Washington for the Tripartite Convention. The island was to be divided.  As the title of the convention would imply, this was a three way divide, but this too is slightly misleading. The United Kingdom was given land elsewhere by Germany to compensate its lack of acquisition of Samoa. The German half of Samoa is currently independent, and the American half has chosen to remain under the U.S.