On this day 63 years ago, on January 1, 1962 (November 25, 1961 lunar calendar), Western Samoa became independent. At the end of the 19th century, Germany occupied Western Samoa. After the Great War, the League of Nations handed it over to New Zealand for administration. After World War II, the United Nations authorized New Zealand to continue the trusteeship. The people of Western Samoa waged a long and unremitting anti-colonial struggle. In 1920-1936, the "Mau (meaning political opposition) movement was launched to oppose New Zealand's colonial rule and put forward the slogan" Samoa for Samoans ". Since then, there have been many mass resistance movements. In 1960, the 15th session of the United Nations General Assembly made a resolution to determine its belonging by a referendum of Western Samoa. The referendum in May 1961 ended the trusteeship state. Independence was officially declared on New Year's Day 1962. In 1963, June 1 was changed to Independence Day. The country is called the Independent State of Western Samoa.