Historical Timeline

Timeline of Panama

20 dated events spanning the recorded history of Panama.

Chronology

20 events spanning the history of Panama. BCE/CE dating.

1501
Rodrigo de Bastidas, sailing westward from Venezuela, arrives in search of gold.
Rodrigo de Bastidas, sailing westward from Venezuela, arrives in search of gold.
1502
Christopher Columbus establishes a short-lived settlement on the isthmus.
Christopher Columbus establishes a short-lived settlement on the isthmus.
1510
The Spanish establish Santa María la Antigua del Darien.
The Spanish establish Santa María la Antigua del Darien, the first mainland settlement in the Americas.
1513
Vasco Núnez de Balboa marches from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Vasco Núnez de Balboa marches from the Atlantic to the Pacific, proving that crossing the isthmus is the shortest route between the oceans.
1821
Panama declares independence from Spain.
Panama declares independence from Spain.
1846
Panama signs treaty with US allowing it to build a railway across the isthmus.
Panama signs treaty with US allowing it to build a railway across the isthmus.
1855
Panamanian workers completed a railroad across the isthmus.
Panamanian workers completed a railroad across the isthmus.
1880
France attempts to build a canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
France attempts to build a canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, but fails due to financial difficulties and the death of more than 20,000 workers from tropical diseases.
1903
Panama proclaims its independence from Columbia.
Panama splits from Colombia and becomes fully independent. US buys rights to build Panama Canal and is given control of the Canal Zone in perpetuity.
1914
United States completes the existing 50 mile (83km) Panama Canal.
United States completes the existing 50 mile (83km) Panama Canal.

1925
Cuna Indians rebelled against the government.
Cuna Indians rebelled against the government and declared themselves an independent state. Today they are politically autonomous.
1977
President Jimmy Carter and General Torrijos sign the Panama Canal Treaties.
President Jimmy Carter and General Torrijos sign the Panama Canal Treaties.
1984
The Panama Defense Force(PDF) wins most of the seats in the Legislative Assembly.
The Panama Defense Force(PDF) wins most of the seats in the Legislative Assembly with General Manuel Noriega at the head of the PDF.
1989
United States President George Bush orders the U.S. military into Panama.
United States President George Bush orders the U.S. military into Panama. Noriega surrenders on December 27. Panama’s Electoral Tribunal confirms the victory of Guillermo Endara in an earlier presidential election, the results of which had been declared invalid by Noriega.
1990
The United States turns over control of the Panama Canal to Panama.
The United States turns over control of the Panama Canal to Panama.
1999
Mireya Moscoso becomes Panama’s first woman president.
Mireya Moscoso becomes Panama’s first woman president.

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Timeline of Panama

Chronology

Rodrigo de Bastidas, sailing westward from Venezuela, arrives in search of gold.

Christopher Columbus establishes a short-lived settlement on the isthmus.

The Spanish establish Santa María la Antigua del Darien.

Vasco Núnez de Balboa marches from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

Panama declares independence from Spain.

Panama signs treaty with US allowing it to build a railway across the isthmus.

Panamanian workers completed a railroad across the isthmus.

France attempts to build a canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Panama proclaims its independence from Columbia.

United States completes the existing 50 mile (83km) Panama Canal.