Martyrs' Day (Panama)
Martyrs' Day in Panama, observed on January 9, commemorates the tragic events of 1964 that arose from a conflict regarding sovereignty over the Panama Canal Zone. The origins of this dispute trace back to a treaty from 1903, which established U.S. control over the canal and surrounding areas, much to the dissatisfaction of many Panamanians. Tensions escalated in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy permitted the Panamanian flag to be flown alongside the U.S. flag, angering residents known as Zonians who perceived this as a threat to U.S. authority.
On January 9, 1964, protests erupted when Panamanian students attempted to raise their flag at a local high school, leading to violent clashes with police and resulting in multiple casualties. Official reports state that twenty-two Panamanians lost their lives during the unrest, a number that remains contested. Today, Martyrs' Day is recognized as a national day of mourning in Panama, characterized by solemn observances: public institutions close, flags are displayed at half-mast, and celebrations involving loud music or alcohol are prohibited. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing complexities of Panamanian history and sovereignty.
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Martyrs' Day (Panama)
Martyrs' Day (Panama)
In the Central American country of Panama, January 9 is celebrated as Martyrs' Day in honor of those who died on this day in 1964 during a dispute over sovereignty in the Panama Canal Zone. Although accounts vary, and many events are still in dispute, what is certain is that the conflict stemmed from the 1903 treaty between the United States and Panama which created the Canal and established the United States as its administrator. Under the treaty, Panama gave the United States permission to build the Canal, which was completed in 1914 and connects the Pacific Ocean and the Carribean Sea. It also gave the United States control over the Canal and granted the United States five miles of land on either side, called the Panama Canal Zone. In return for sovereign rights over this zone, the United States paid $10 million plus an extra $250,000 annually to the Panamanian government, a figure that would increase over the years.
Problems with this arrangement were exacerbated in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy agreed to allow the Panamanian flag to fly alongside the American flag in the Panama Canal Zone. To Americans living in the Zone, known as Zonians, the flying of Panama's flag looked as though the United States were relinquishing its sovereignty over the area. After President Kennedy's death in November, Robert J. Fleming Jr., Canal Zone governor, declared that neither the United States nor the Panamanian flag would fly from civilian buildings. Enraged Zonians raised American flags in protest at three local high schools. When school officials tried to force them to remove the flags, students staged a round-the-clock demonstration at the flagpole. On January 9, 1964, 150 to 200 Panamanian students from the elite Instituto National responded by marching to Balboa High School to raise their flag alongside the Americans'. When the attempt failed and the Panamanian flag in question was torn during the ensuing scuffle between students and police, an angry mob of Panamanians gathered along the Canal Zone border and violence broke out. As the chaos and destruction worsened and spread to other parts of the country throughout the day, the Canal Zone police opened fire, killing and wounding several people. By evening the US military was called in and ultimately used force to contain the masses. By the time fighting had stopped twenty-two Panamanians were alleged to have been killed during the conflict. Although this figure is in dispute, with some sources claiming the number is lower and others insisting it is higher, twenty-two names are officially listed at the Martyrs Memorial in Colón. In 1999, control over the Canal was transfered to the Panamanian government.
In the twenty-first century, Martys' Day is treated as a national day of mourning. Public and private offices close for the day, flags are flown at half-mast, no alcohol is served, and loud music is prohibited.
Bibliography
Byrne, Ashley. "50 Years Ago this Week, Riots Determined the Fate of the Panama Canal." PRI, 10 Jan. 2014, www.pri.org/stories/2014-01-10/50-years-ago-week-riots-determined-fate-panama-canal. Accessed 9 Apr. 2020.
"Martyrs' Day." Dos Manos Nederland, www.dosmanosnederland.com/en/aboutlatinamerica/calendar/panama/martyrs-day.php. Accessed 9 Apr. 2020.
"Martyrs Day in Panama." Panama Today, www.panamatoday.com/panama/martyrs-day-panama-6077. Accessed 9 Apr. 2020.
Patrick, Kara. "Today is Martyrs Day in Panama." Playa Community, 9 Jan. 2018, playacommunity.com/panama-articles/coronado-community/7093-today-is-martyrs-day-in-panama.html. Accessed 9 Apr. 2020.