Martyr's Day

Martyr's Day commemorates the January 9, 1964 riots in Panama City when Panamanian students attempted to raise the national flag in the U.S.-controlled Panama Canal Zone. Tensions escalated when U.S. police and civilians attacked the students, leading to three days of violence. The riots resulted in the deaths of 21 Panamanians and four U.S. soldiers. The events are seen as a catalyst for the eventual Torrijos–Carter Treaties in 1977, which transferred the Canal Zone to Panama by the end of 1999.

On Martyr's Day, Panama holds official ceremonies led by the president and other dignitaries. Wreaths are laid at the Flame of the Martyrs monument and at the graves of the 21 martyrs. Schools organize patriotic events, and the media broadcasts documentaries about the 1964 events. Many Panamanians wear black or white clothing in mourning. The day is a national holiday with parades, often featuring students and military bands, and includes moments of silence at 9:00 AM, the time the first martyr died.

Martyr's Day is a day of national mourning and pride, reminding Panamanians of the sacrifices made for their sovereignty. It represents the turning point in Panama's struggle to gain control over the Panama Canal and its Zone, a long-held aspiration. The holiday reinforces Panamanian identity and unity, and continues to be a symbol of resistance against foreign domination. It also honors the memory of the 21 civilians who died fighting for their country's rights.