Who doesn’t love a 4th of July picnic and fireworks show? It’s always fun to celebrate the birth of the Good Ol’ USA. We have discovered in the last few days that others in the Americas are proud of their country origins, as well. Nov. 3-5 have marked three national holidays in a row, all pertaining to the independence and founding of Panama.
We knew coming here that November was a month full of holidays and celebrations. We expected all government offices, most businesses, and even many restaurants to be closed. It’s made looking for an apartment a little slow, but otherwise, it’s been a lot of fun. What has surprised us is the Banderas de Panama — the flags and red, white, and blue banners that are everywhere, from apartment buildings to banks to churches.
Banners on a church 
Flags on a restaurant 
Lights on a bank
On weekends and holidays, it seems that about half the residents of Panama City leave for the beaches and mountains. Traffic has been light, buses and the subway uncrowded, and places of leisure like shopping malls and parks full of relaxing people. Those that didn’t leave town are attending the parades and fireworks shows.
Here’s a quick run down of the celebrations: November 3 is Separation Day, the day Panama celebrates separating from Columbia in 1903. As with all history, the story is a bit complicated. After declaring independence from Spain in 1821, Panama joined with Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela to form “Gran Colombia,” which soon fell apart. The Colombian government was opposed to the construction of the Panama Canal, so with U.S. intervention in 1903, Panama separated.
The following day, November 4, was the first day the Panamanian flag was displayed. Designed by María de la Ossa de Amador, sometimes called the Mother of the Nation and the country’s first First Lady, the flag with its fields and stars of red, white, and blue, becomes ubiquitous on the holiday. Most taxis (and Panama City has at least as many taxis as NY City) sport them, flying from the tops. Drivers display them on car hoods; apartment dwellers drape them from balconies. Really, you can’t miss them.
Finally, November 5 is Colon Day, a holiday commemorating those from the Colon region of Panama, who convinced the Columbian soldiers to give up the fight. Depending on which website you read, the story includes deaths of Colon residence, the mass drunkenness of Columbian soldiers, and the U.S. Marines landing in town. Whatever the case, the Columbians sailed away, and the day became a landmark in Panama history.
More holidays will coming up later in the month. Panamanians do love their celebrations, and we are enjoying them, too!
