CNMI to Celebrate 50 Years of the Covenant at Commonwealth Jubilee

The CNMI America250 Commission proudly announces the inaugural Commonwealth Jubilee, scheduled for March 22–24, 2026. Commonwealth Jubilee: A Celebration of Unity and Heritage is a three-day public event commemorating the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Covenant — the historic agreement that created the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ system of self-government, established its political status, and defined its relationship with the United States.

Approved by U.S. Public Law 94-241 on March 24, 1976, the Covenant established the Northern Mariana Islands as a self-governing Commonwealth in political union with the United States. It created the framework for the CNMI’s three-branch system of government, provided for local self-governance under a Constitution of our own making, and secured U.S. citizenship for the people of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Covenant continues to shape our legal, political, and economic relationship with the United States today.

The Jubilee will culminate on Covenant Day, March 24, a legal holiday in the Commonwealth.

The themes for the three-day festival are:

• Day 1: Exhibiting Enduring Traditions

• Day 2: Embracing American Culture

• Day 3: Voyaging Through Self-Government

The Commonwealth Jubilee will celebrate the rich history, cultural heritage, democratic foundations, and shared values that define the people of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Commission invites the entire CNMI community to participate in this historic milestone as we reflect on 50 years of self-government and partnership with the United States. Community members are encouraged to attend events, engage in dialogue, and explore how the Covenant has impacted our culture, our governance, and our collective future.

Celebrate our past. Embrace our present. Envision our future.

The CNMI America250 Commission was established by Arnold I. Palacios on August 8, 2024, through Executive Order No. 2024-007. The Commission is tasked with planning and carrying out commemorative events leading up to July 4, 2026, marking the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States, while also honoring the 50th anniversary of the Covenant’s enactment on March 24, 1976.

The Jubilee is included in Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals, a series of programs and exchanges marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and showcasing the nation’s remarkable cultural landscape. These programs bring the spirit of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival—the institution’s largest and longest-running event—to community festivals in several states and territories.

This project received funding from the Smithsonian’s “Our Shared Future: 250,” a Smithsonianwide initiative supported by private philanthropy and created to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary and advance the Smithsonian vision for the next 250 years. For more information, visit www.america250mhcouncil.org or contact (670) 235-4785. Festival locations and scheduled activities will be announced on the CNMI America250 Commission’s website when available.

*For access and accommodation inquiries, please contact info@america250cnmi.org.