January 9, 1964, the day of the martyrs

The relationship between the United States and Panama had been a precarious power struggle from 1821 until the Canal Zone reverted to Panamanian control in 1999. In 1903, the United States aided Panama in seceding from Gran Colombia, and both parties signed a treaty allowing the United States to build a canal. The Panamanians were concerned with the sovereignty of the Canal Zone and wanted the Panamanian flag to fly alongside the U.S. flag in the Canal Zone. On January 9, 1964, Panamanian students rebutted by marching the Panamanian flag into the Canal Zone and rioting broke out. This thesis explores the impact of this violent occurrence in light of the fact that the U.S. media glosses over it, whereas, together with other international events following the riots, it prompted the revision of the canal treaty. Subsequently, a new treaty was signed in 1977, becoming effective almost a hundred years after the creation of the Latin American country.