The Cape Verde Islands were mentioned in Abduâl-Bahaâs Tablets of the Divine Plan.  They were subsequently nominated as a "Virgin territory" in Africa during the World Crusade and assigned to the United States. The were opened by Knights of Bahá'u'lláh Howard & Joanne Menking, in January 1954. Politically, the Islands became an Overseas Portuguese Province in 1951, and gained independence in July 1975. The Bahá'í community numbered over 20 by Ridvan 1957 (Messages to the Bahá'í World, 113), and at the end of the Crusade there were Bahá'í groups at Achada Alem & Praia, and isolated centres at Fogo Island & Mindelo. An NSA was established in the islands in 1984.