Panama Canal Zone: Acquisition, Control, and Transfer (1903–1999)

1. Spooner Act authorizes Panama canal project

   Jun 28, 1902Labels: Spooner Act, U S

   • Spooner Act

2. Hay–Herrán Treaty signed with Colombia

   Jan 22, 1903Labels: Hay Herr, Colombia

   • TR Center
   • Hay Herr n

3. Colombia rejects Hay–Herrán Treaty

   Aug 12, 1903Labels: Colombian Senate, Colombia

   • TR Center

4. Panama declares independence from Colombia

   Nov 3, 1903Labels: Panama, Independence

   • HISTORY
   • State Historian

5. United States recognizes the Republic of Panama

   Nov 6, 1903Labels: United States, Panama

   • State Historian
   • HISTORY

6. Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty grants Canal Zone rights

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

   • Britannica
   • Treaty

7. Isthmian Canal Commission established

   Feb 26, 1904Labels: Isthmian Canal, U S

   • ICC
   • PBS

8. U.S. formally takes over Canal Zone and project

   May 4, 1904Labels: Canal Zone, U S

   • HISTORY
   • Canal Zone

9. Gorgas assigned chief sanitary officer in Canal Zone

   Jun 1, 1904Labels: William C, Sanitary officer

   • AMEDD
   • Britannica

10. Goethals appointed first civil governor of Canal Zone

    Jan 1, 1914Labels: George W, Civil governor

    • Britannica
    • Canal Zone

11. Panama Canal opens with SS Ancon transit

    Aug 15, 1914Labels: SS Ancon, Panama Canal

    • Smithsonian
    • SS Ancon

12. Flag riots erupt over Canal Zone sovereignty dispute

    Jan 9, 1964Labels: Flag Riots, Canal Zone

    • AP
    • Martyrs Day

13. Panama Canal Treaty signed (Torrijos–Carter)

    Sep 7, 1977Labels: Torrijos Carter, Panama Canal

    • Britannica
    • Treaties

14. Panama Canal Zone abolished under treaty implementation

    Oct 1, 1979Labels: Canal Zone, Treaty implementation

    • State Historian
    • Treaties

15. United States transfers Panama Canal control to Panama

    Dec 31, 1999Labels: United States, Panama

    • HISTORY
    • Treaties