Like many of the other islands in the western Pacific, Palau was first settled by Polynesian/Micronesian travelers thousands of years ago, then more recently was under the governance of the Spanish (1574-1899), then the Germans (1899-1914), then the Japanese (1914-1919), then the UN [but really the Japanese] (1919-1944), then the United States of America, first as a military occupation (1944-1947), then as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (1947-1981), before gaining a measure of independence in 1981 as a republic (but still in free association with the United States of America - which explains why the USPS still administers the Palau Postal Service).
Stamp details: Stamps on top: Issued on: March 10, 1983 From: Ngerulmud, Republic of Palau MC #1-4
Stamp on bottom: Issued on: September 3, 2015 From: Ngerulmud, Republic of Palau MC #3685
Recognized as a sovereign state by the UN: Yes (since December 15, 1994) Official name: Republic of Palau Member of the Universal Postal Union: No (Palauan mail is delivered by the United Sates Postal Service)
