Panama Independence Day: November 28
Independence from Spain is a Public Holiday in Panama.
Panama celebrates its Independence from Spain on November 28th every year. The city of Los Santos preempted the move by proclaiming freedom from Spain on November 10, 1821. This act precipitated a meeting in Panama City on November 28, which is celebrated as the official date of independence.
Panama Independence from Spain History
Panama’s history has been shaped by its strategic location between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. The native Cuevas and Cocole tribes quickly disappeared after the Spanish arrived with their weapons and diseases in the early 16th century. Panama City, on the Pacific coast, thrived as Spain conquered and plundered Peru. Caravans loaded with gold traveled overland across the narrow isthmus from Panama City to be loaded on galleons bound for Spain. However, this wealth attracted pirates and, in the early 1700s, Panama’s Caribbean shore was dotted with so many pirate strongholds that shippers chose instead to sail around Cape Horn to Peru.
Panama’s importance rapidly declined, and Spain did not contest its inclusion as a province of Colombia when that country won its independence from Spain in 1821. In 1819, when the liberation of New Granada was clinched, and finally gaining its freedom, Panama along with other regions of Colombia was therefore technically freed and independent as apart of Colombia, but it was still in the clutches of Spain and remained so until 1821, but yet Panama was still was loyal to Spain but began their plans of liberation and independence to join the new nation as it was already apart of Colombia.
Panama was a royalist stronghold and outpost in and as a apart of Colombia. Therefore, and because of all this and the events that occurred in the rest of Colombia (Nueva Granada or New Granada) it joined the independence bandwagon like most of the other Latin American regions and colonies, in 1821, which would later become new nations, of course. While Panama was of great historical importance to the Spanish Empire, the differences in social and economic status between the more liberal area of Azuero, and the much more royalist and conservative area of Veraguas displayed contrasting perspectives.
It is, in fact, known that when the Grito de la Villa de Los Santos occurred, Veraguas firmly opposed the motion for independence.
Panama Independence Traditions , Customs and Activities
Panama celebrates its independence from Spain with parades in Panama City. One of the things one can always count on, every year is that it will rain on the parade. The majority of the participants are schools and their bands.
Panamanians are known for celebrating their holidays with big parades, although November in Panama is known for its unpredictable rains. There is traditional folklore dancing in the streets where both children and adults dress in traditional costumes—a pollera and a montuno—and dance El Tamborito or El Atravesao, traditional dances. Street vendors will sell meat on sticks, hot dogs, and kebabs. There are games to be played and lots of entertainment.
