Watch and learn about the territorial evolution of the United States through this animated GIF and explanatory narration.

I was born an American on U.S. soil,” said firefighter Michael Pese, one of those charged in Whittier. “American Samoa has been U.S. soil, U.S. jurisdiction, for 125 years.

I was born an American on U.S. soil,” said firefighter Michael Pese, one of those charged in Whittier. “American Samoa has been U.S. soil, U.S. jurisdiction, for 125 years.

During the Spanish-American War, the U.S. invaded Puerto Rico and gained sole power over the island. In 1917, the U.S. granted citizenship to the residents of Puerto Rico under the Jones Act.