Martyrs' Day in Panama

On the night of January 9, 1964, the cities of Panama and Colon did not sleep because of the US military aggression against the Panamanian people and, above all, because of the student mobilizations demanding respect for national sovereignty.

That day, a group of students from the National Institute of Panama, accompanied by students from other schools, such as the Isabel Herrera Obaldía Professional School, the Melchor Lasso de la Vega Arts and Crafts School and some civilians, marched peacefully to the Balboa High School, with the objective of enforcing the bilateral agreement established between Panama and the United States, called Kennedy-Chiari, which established the right for our flag to be hoisted together with the American flag within the territory of the so-called Canal Zone.

As a consequence of this action, the police and the forces of the Southern Command stationed at the site responded by shooting at the group of Panamanians, mostly unarmed teenagers moved by the spirit of equality, sovereignty and love of country.

The result of that tragic event was not long in coming, the consequences were around 22 dead and more than 550 wounded, our flag was outraged, President Roberto F. Chiari, known as the "President of Dignity", broke off relations with the United States of America and many countries showed solidarity with Panama due to the shock caused by the attack of an armed army on a defenseless civilian population.