Military Strategy, Defense, and Wartime Use of the Panama Canal (1914–1999)

1. Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty grants U.S. canal rights

   Nov 18, 1903Labels: Hay Bunau-Varilla, Canal Zone, United States

   • Britannica

2. Panama Canal opens, creating a strategic chokepoint

   Aug 15, 1914Labels: Panama Canal, Shipping Route

   • US Census
   • HISTORY

3. U.S. enters World War I, raising defense urgency

   Apr 6, 1917Labels: United States, World War

   • US War Law
   • Anne Frank House

4. U.S. Army creates Panama Canal Department

   Jun 26, 1917Labels: Panama Canal, U S

   • Panama Dept

5. Fort Randolph completed to defend Atlantic approaches

   Apr 9, 1920Labels: Fort Randolph, Margarita Island

   • Fort Randolph

6. Executive Order 8232 shifts canal control to Army

   Sep 5, 1939Labels: Executive Order, Franklin D

   • US Presidency

7. Howard Field established as key air defense base

   Dec 1, 1939Labels: Howard Field, Air Base

   • Howard AFB

8. Destroyers-for-bases deal strengthens regional defenses

   Sep 2, 1940Labels: Destroyers-for-Bases, United Kingdom

   • DB Deal

9. Fort Sherman hosts early-warning radar deployment

   Jan 1, 1941Labels: Fort Sherman, SCR-270 Radar

   • Fort Sherman

10. Japan cancels planned I-400 canal strike mission

    Jun 1, 1945Labels: I-400 Submarines, Japan

    • Naval League

11. Torrijos–Carter Treaties signed, redefining defense role

    Sep 7, 1977Labels: Torrijos Carter, Neutrality Treaty

    • Britannica
    • GAO

12. Treaties take effect; Panama Canal Commission begins

    Oct 1, 1979Labels: Panama Canal, Treaties

    • GAO
    • Britannica

13. Operation Just Cause secures U.S. facilities and canal area

    Dec 20, 1989Labels: Operation Just, Manuel Noriega

    • US Army
    • Britannica

14. Panama assumes full control and primary canal defense

    Dec 31, 1999Labels: Panama, Canal Handover

    • Britannica
    • SEC ACP