Where America's Day Begins
Guam is 13 hours ahead of Washington, D.C. on the other side of the International Date Line. As a result, it is the first American company to enter each new day. "Where America's Day Begins" according to the tourism department (Visit Guam). It's also a site where Asians start their own American adventures, whether it's in the '50s-style eateries crammed with Japanese and Korean tourists, the cluster of shopping malls in Hagatna's main town, or the t-shirt shops adorned with American flags.
"America's Day Begins" on Guam. Yes, Guam is a US territory. Guam is 20 hours ahead of Hawai'i and one day ahead of the United States due to its location 2500 miles west of the International Date Line. We hear army soldiers chanting in the English sections as the sun rises, while children on Guam wave Old Glory, shout "USA," and sing patriotic American tunes. But Guam is also the starting point for injustice, waste, and abuse. "Guam: Where America's Day Begins" says a bumper sticker I despise.
Guam is the United States' westernmost outpost, 15 hours ahead of the Eastern Seaboard time zone. As a result, Guam is also where America's Dream comes to an end. Guam is the first American town to greet each new day, a luxury exemplified by one nonvoting congressman and the concept of "Practicing Democracy in Paradise." Guam's tourist agency promotes the Pacific island as "where America's day begins" a popular destination for Japanese tourists (1 million annually), who contribute to the preservation of our culture.
