November 3: Independence Day in Panama
Prayer Idea
Pray for the people and government of Panama.
Map by Peter Hermes Furian / Shutterstock.com.
History Note
The Spanish began exploring and settling the Isthmus of Panama in the 1500s. They encountered Indigenous people, whose descendants survive today in groups known as the Guna, Naso Tjër Di, Ngäbe, Buglé, Bri Bri, Emberá, and Wounaan. Vasco Núñez de Balboa led an expedition that reached the Pacific Coast of Panama in 1513.
Panama left the Spanish Empire in 1821 and joined Gran Colombia. Though there were some movements towards full independence, Panama remained part of Colombia for the rest of the 19th century.
Efforts to build a canal across Panama eventually led to Panama’s separation from Colombia in 1903, with support from the United States. Panamanian leaders declared independence on November 3.
The United States stationed many troops in Panama during World War II to protect the canal. The Japanese military formulated plans for an attack on Panama that were never implemented.
Today Panama is a presidential republic with a population of about 4.5 million. About 77% of the population have Indigenous heritage and 16% have African heritage. About one-third of the population are Roman Catholic and over 50% belong to another Christian denomination.
Guna Yala is a province of Panama that includes an archipelago of over 300 islands in the Caribbean. This is the home of the Guna (or Kuna) people, who have a significant degree of autonomy. Photo by Stefan Neumann / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
This video highlights celebrations for Panama's Independence Day on November 3, 2018.
Find more resources at Homeschool History.
