Originally independent in the centuries Before Common Era, it was then ruled by China for a millennium, then independent again until the days of European colonialism when first the French and then, famously, the Americans took responsibility.
Awali wa kujitegemea katika karne ya Kabla Common Era, ilikuwa basi ilitawala na China kwa ajili ya milenia, basi huru tena mpaka siku za ukoloni Ulaya wakati wa kwanza wa Kifaransa na kisha, maarufu, Wamarekani alichukua jukumu.