January 9, 1964
Martyrs’ Day commemorates the January 9, 1964 riots over sovereignty of the Panama Canal Zone, which started after a Panamanian flag was torn during conflict between Panamanian students and Canal Zone Police officers. In January 1963, U.S President Kennedy agreed to fly Panama’s flag alongside the U.S. flag at all non-military sites in the Canal Zone where the U.S. flag was flown. However, Kennedy was assassinated before his orders were carried out. One month after Kennedy’s death, the Canal Zone Governor issued a decree limiting Kennedy’s order. In response, outraged Zonians began flying the U.S. flag anywhere they could. After the first U.S. flag to be raised at Balboa High School was taken down by school officials, the students walked out of class, raised another flag, and posted guards to prevent its removal. There was a scuffle, the flag was torn and the protest became violent. U.S. Army units became involved after Canal Zone police were overwhelmed; after three days of fighting, about 21 Panamanians and four U.S. soldiers were killed. The incident is considered to be a significant factor in the U.S. decision to transfer control of the Canal Zone to Panama through the 1977 Torrijos–Carter Treaties. The photo above is of the Martyr’s Day Monument.
