In 1898, in a startling turn of events following victory in the Spanish-American War, the former colony of England, reborn as the United States of America, began to claim territories of its own. Not exactly states, with residents who are nationals, rather than citizens, these territories now include Guam and Puerto Rico (April 11, 1898), American Samoa (April 17, 1900), the U.S. Virgin Islands (March 31, 1917), and the Northern Mariana Islands (November 4, 1986)! Today, the question remains: will they become full states one day or gain independence in the footsteps of the USA?