Panama

9000 BCE

Early Indigenous Settlement

Paleo-Indian groups first inhabited the Isthmus of Panama, establishing some of the earliest human settlements in the Americas.

1501

Rodrigo de Galv%an de Bastidas Arrival

Spanish explorer Rodrigo de Bastidas became the first European to explore the coastline of Panama, claiming the territory for Spain.

1513

Vasco N%u%nez de Balboa Discovers Pacific

Vasco N%u%nez de Balboa crossed the Isthmus and reached the Pacific Ocean, which he named the South Sea.

1821

Independence from Spain

Panama declared its independence from Spanish colonial rule and subsequently joined the Republic of Gran Colombia.

1903

Independence from Colombia

Panama separated from Colombia with the support of the United States, allowing for the construction of the Panama Canal.

1914

Completion of the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal officially opened, drastically shortening the shipping route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

1964

Martyrs' Day Uprising

Protests erupted in the Canal Zone over the display of the U.S. flag, highlighting growing anti-colonial sentiment and demands for sovereignty.

1977

Torrijos-Carter Treaties

The United States and Panama signed treaties to transition control of the Panama Canal to Panama by the end of the century.

1989

United States Invasion of Panama

The U.S. military invaded Panama to remove dictator Manuel Noriega from power and restore democratic governance.

1999

Transfer of Canal Sovereignty

The Panama Canal Authority officially assumed full control and administration of the canal from the United States.

2016

Inauguration of the Canal Expansion

Panama completed a massive engineering project to expand the canal with a new set of locks to accommodate larger vessels.

2024

General Elections of 2024

Panama held its general elections in May 2024, resulting in the election of Jos%e Raul Mulino as the new President of the Republic.