Everything Everywhere Daily: History, Science, Geography, & More Uninhabited US Territories: America's Crumbs
Mar 21, 2026
A romp through how 19th century laws turned scattered, empty islands into American territory. Stories range from guano-fueled land grabs and a strange colonization project to WWII battle sites and Cold War military outposts. Hear about disputed Caribbean reefs, nuclear and chemical testing on remote atolls, and how many of these places are now wildlife refuges.
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Navassa Island Shows Guano Claims Led To Lasting Disputes
- Navassa Island was claimed in 1857 for guano mining and briefly supported a mining community before unrest forced abandonment.
- Haiti still disputes U.S. ownership, but the island today is an uninhabited wildlife refuge.
Wake Island Evolved From Refueling Stop To Military Base
- Wake Island, claimed in 1899, became a strategic refueling and military outpost and was the site of an early 1941 Japanese assault.
- Today it remains a highly restricted military base with only temporary personnel.
Midway Transitioned From Military Hub To Wildlife Refuge
- Midway Atoll, annexed in 1867, became a pivotal World War II naval and air base and the site of the 1942 Battle of Midway.
- Decommissioned in the 1990s, it's now a wildlife refuge with only temporary research staff.