Panama's Condensed November History

Panama is that small country that, millions of years ago, rose from the depths of the ocean to form a natural bridge between North, Central, and South America. The oldest traces of pre-Columbian cultures in Panama date back 10,000 years.

It is a small country, with the shortest distance between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. A country where you can stand on a clear day at its highest elevation  —the Baru volcano — and watch both oceans.

The same country, in which its honest citizens (corrupt ones excluded!) are victimized on a daily basis by superpowers, making it difficult for them to have an equal opportunity to participate in a global economy to make an honest living.

Despite that, it is a beautiful country with an interesting post-colonial history. And that is why in Panama, the month of November is a month full of national festivities. Before getting to the gist of this article, I will condense the relevant history of Panama to summarize why November is such an eventful month.

Condensed History of Panama during the Conquest

As a prelude, the territory now known as Panama was discovered in October 1501 by Rodrigo de Bastidas, and later explored in 1502 during Christopher Columbus's 4th voyage to the Americas. That is how, on February 24, 1503, the first European settlement on the American continent came to life as Santa María de Belén, in an area we know today as Bocas del Toro. The Spanish colonial period began.

Panama was first explored just prior to Christopher Columbus's 4th voyage.

The insatiable greed of the Spanish conquerors brought death to a large population of indigenous people, and it seeded the corruption that, even nowadays — plagues the country's political system. Panama became the primary route through which the riches of the Americas were systematically channeled to the Spanish empire in Europe.

In 1519, Panama City became the first European-founded city on the Pacific Ocean. That first version of the city is what we know today as the ruins of Old Panama. On January 21st, 1671, it was sacked by an English pirate named Henry Morgan. Henry Morgan was given the noble title of Sir by the English and became governor of Jamaica. He may have been given the title of "Sir," but you cannot take away the fact that Henry Morgan was a cruel and vile pirate. 

In 1539, Panama gained importance as the center of the "Real Audiencia de Panama", The Royal Audience of Panama was a Spanish judicial district spanning the entire territory from Nicaragua to Cape Horn, the southernmost tip of the American continent.

Centuries later, in 1713, Panama became annexed to the Vice-royalty of New Grenada (northern South America). This vice-royalty has its capital nowadays Bogotá, Colombia. And in 1819, New Grenada freed itself from Spain.

November: a month full of history

This confuses people the most, so I will mention it. I will introduce these important dates by their chronological year rather than the day of the month. As you read on, you will see why.

1 November 1569 Foundation of La Villa de Los Santos

November 1st begins a month of national festivities in the town of La Villa de Los Santos. They commemorate the town's foundation in 1569 by royal decree of King Felipe II of Spain. So this town is the place to be on this day. Every county ("corregimiento") of the Los Santos district is represented by a small artisan carriage with a local beauty atop and pulled by bulls.

November 2nd is not a celebration, but a special day of remembrance of those who passed away. People visit their dead at the churches and cemeteries. It is a day of silence and personal reflection.

10 November 1821 First declaration of independence from Spain at La Villa de Los Santos. Sets forth the country's independence.

On November 10th, 1821, the town of La Villa de Los Santos, Panama, proclaimed its independence from the Spanish empire, thus asserting its freedom from Spain and New Grenada. This is known as the "Grito de La Villa de Los Santos". But newborn Panama, in its naivety, chose to annex itself to the territory known as Great Columbia (New Granada). The country we know today as Columbia was part of the Great Columbia (Colombia, Panama, Ecuador & Venezuela).

November 28th, 1821: country's independence from Spain.

Panama, as a country, declared its independence from Spain on November 28th, 1821.

November 28th, 1821: country's independence from Spain.

Declared its independence from Spain, Panama voluntarily annexes itself to the New Granada (later Great Colombia) of Simon Bolívar.

Panama annexed itself to the New Granada because it believed in the grand dreams of Simón Bolivar. A XIX century visionary who wanted the Americas to become something similar to what we know today as the European Union.

November 18th, 1840 Second attempt to separate from Colombia

Already back in 1830 Panama briefly separated from New Granada. Then in 1840 Gral. Tomás Herrera declared the Free State of the Isthmus. This 2nd separation from New Granada lasted until December 31st, 1841.

This two little known facts are mentioned in an official history book written in 1911, much contrary to the over-romanticized, washed out history taught at Panamanian & Colombian schools nowadays.

To the people of New Granada (later Great Colombia), the territory of Panama was a forgotten piece of land to which they gave no importance. Not even to invest in an educational system. Those who wished  —and had the financial means — to receive an education needed to move to Santa Fe de Bogotá, Colombia or Europe. Nobody wants to willingly tolerate an abusive relationship, even if it is passive.

The consequences of this neglect are something that even nowadays, the Colombian people, and their government lament and have not emotionally overcome. To this day, the Colombian coat of arms still depicts the isthmus of Panama they hoped to retain forever.

Panama's annexation to the Simon Bolivar's Great Columbia was non-beneficial.

The Latin American idiosyncrasy of division, rather than union, which leads them to pull in different directions rather than push towards a common goal, made the Great Columbia fall apart. And so were the dreams of Simon Bolivar.

"We have plowed the sea," said Simon Bolivar

That is how, on November 3rd, 1903, Panama declared its separation from The Great Columbia. Panama officially became the Republic of Panama. With a new republic comes the need for a variety of symbolism to assert this independence.

By November 5th, 1903, the Colombian troops were still stationed in the city of Colon (formerly known as Aspinwall City), hoping to disrupt and sabotage the separation of Panama. But the future financial interests of the USA played a role here, and the revolutionary committee arranged a bribe for the Colombian troops. And that is how, on November 5th, the Colon province also declared independence by evicting the Colombian troops. Those who stayed chose to become part of the new country.

The French Canal, a modern Trojan Horse

By now, the French Canal authorized in 1878 by the Colombians through the Wyse Concession, had become a total failure. The French, represented by Ferdinand de Lesseps and Philippe Bunau-Varilla, were extremely desperate to save their necks and their finances. The United States had its eyes on a profitable business. The inexperienced first-ever Panamanian presidential committee (and Panama) was to be made victim of a conspirational plot of self-interest at the expense of a newborn nation.

On November 18th, 1903, Frenchman Philippe Bunau-Varilla betrayed the trust of the Panamanians by signing a treaty with the USA before the arrival of the Panamanian representatives, giving them the strip of the Panama Canal and adjacent territories in perpetuity. Obviously, US President Theodore Roosevelt wouldn't give a damn about the immorality of such a treaty.

November 4th: Day of the National Symbols

Don Jerónimo de la Ossa wrote Panama's national anthem, and the musical score was written by Don Santos A. Jorge (Spaniard, music professor). If you watched the video above, you certainly now know what this beautiful anthem sounds like. And like everybody in the world, we are very proud when we hear our national anthem! November 1st is also National Anthem Day in Panama.

The flag was designed by Don Manuel Amador Guerrero and sewn by his wife, Doña Maria de la Ossa de Amador.  This was not the flag that traitor Philippe Bunau-Varilla hoped to impose us.

Our National coat of arms was created by Don Nicanor Villalaz and his brother Sebastian Villalaz, who were born in La Villa de Los Santos. Sadly, his house was demolished many years ago. Nowadays, not many people remember that this historical monument existed when they passed in front of the empty land plot for sale. The interpretation of the coat of arms is created to German professor Max Lemm.

I hope you enjoyed my article, which took you through a whirlwind tour of Panamanian history and how it is celebrated during the whole month of November. If you liked it and are interested in more articles about the history of Panama (and I have several in mind), please do comment and consider becoming a subscriber here and in any other channel convenient to you (Substack, Medium, etc.)

(For some reason it shows my former account avatar instead of the new one).

Suggested reading

Panamanian independence/separation history is deeply intertwined with the history of the Panama Canal and the Panama Railroad, both being the first transoceanic routes. I heartily recommend these two books.

This part contains affiliate links. Should a purchase be made through these links, a small commission may be earned, at no additional cost to you. Despite this potential commission, rest assured that all product recommendations are based on personal experiences and genuine appreciation. The author would never endorse a product or service that they wouldn't invest in themselves.

• The Path between the Seas by David McCullough.
• The Panama Railroad by Peter Pyne.