Separation Day 2023: Date, History, Activities, Facts about Panama

Separation Day 2023: That third Monday of November is Separation Day, which is also known as Panama’s National Day. It marks Panama’s split from Colombia to become its own full-fledged Republic. If you go back to the 1800s, when Panama and Colombia got their freedom from Spain, they were one country called New Grenada or Gran Colombia. But the idea to build the Panama Canal across the Isthmus of Panama was what set off Panama’s revolution against Colombia. Panama was in favor of this plan, while Colombia was against it. Like most big movements, this one started because people had different ideas about what should happen.

WHAT SEPARATION DAY IS ALL ABOUT

Separation Day was created to honor Panama’s freedom from Colombia, a South American country, in 1903. It’s interesting that Panama already has its own independence day. It’s held on November 28, the anniversary of when Panama finally got its freedom from Spain in 1821. When they broke away, Simon Bolivar, one of the most famous leaders in South American history, was in charge. He was a leader in Venezuela who stoked the revolution that freed Panama and Colombia from Spain, as well as other South American countries like Ecuador and Venezuela.

Panama became part of the Republic of Greater Colombia (or Gran Colombia) when it was no longer ruled by Spain. Even though Panama was finally free from Spanish rule, the people there weren’t happy. They wanted to be their own country for a long time, and in 1831, when Ecuador and Venezuela broke away from the Republic of Greater Colombia, they were almost free from Columbia.

In the late 1800s, the French thought that making a canal across the Isthmus of Panama would be a great way to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This was the start of the Panama Canal project. But the French failed and gave up on the idea. At that point, the U.S. also stepped in and tried to finish the building, but the Government of Colombia said no. Because of this, it was in the US’s best interest to back the Panamanian independence movement, since Colombia and Panama didn’t agree on whether the US should build and run the canal.

In 1903, Panama was able to break away from Colombia with help from the United States. At that time, Panama signed the “Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty,” which made the Republic of Panama an independent country and let the U.S. start building the Panama Canal again. Panama wanted the canal because they thought it would help their economy and society. The Panama Canal was finished in 1914, and President Jimmy Carter gave it to the Government of Panama to run by 1999.

The motto of Panama today is “Pro Mundi Beneficio,” which means “For the benefit of the world.” This makes sense, since the Panama Canal is so important to foreign trade and other business-related activities. Many Panamanians have made the song “Patria” by Ruben Blades their unofficial national anthem because they love their country so much. Blades is a singer and activist from Panama. His 1988 song “Patria” is about what it means to have a “homeland.”

WHAT TO DO ON SEPARATION DAY

Set up a “fiesta”

Since it might be too far-fetched to go to Panama to enjoy the general celebrations, such as parades and fireworks, you can always have a party where you are. A lot of Panamanians wear traditional clothes and dance traditional songs like “El Tamborito.” Find out everything you need to know and get into the holiday spirit. Of course, no party is complete without food.

Plan your next trip.

Panama is made up of 365 islands, all of which are very beautiful in their own right. So, why not plan your next trip with your family or by yourself to one of these beautiful islands, with their blue skies and turquoise water? You should get your piggy bank out right now.

Learn about Panama’s culture by living it.

Panama, like any other country, has a lot of history and culture that you should learn about. Whether it’s music, art, dance, food, books, or something else cultural, you should start your journey right away. We already told you to check out Ruben Blades.

Five things about Panama that will make you want to pack

• There is only one place on Earth where you can see the Pacific Ocean rise and the Atlantic Ocean fall.
• The United States was the second country to sell Coca-Cola. The first was Panama.
• The rainforest in Panama is the second biggest in South America, and it is right next to the capital city.
• Panama was the first country in South America to use the U.S. dollar as its currency, which is great news for American tourists.
• The Panama Canal is one of the “Seven Modern Wonders of the World,” and it brings in about one-third of the country’s income.

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SEPARATION DAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	November 3	Friday
2024	November 3	Sunday
2025	November 3	Monday
2026	November 3	Tuesday
2027	November 3	Wednesday