Questionnaire

On what date did Panama gain independence from Spain?

R. November 28, 1821.
2. When did Panama separate from Colombia?
November 3, 1903.
Who was the first president of Panama?
R. Manuel Amador Guerrero.
4. What are our national symbols and what do they represent?
The Flag, the Coat of Arms, and the National Anthem represent the feelings, history, and pride.
to be Panamanians.
5. Who designed our flag and who made it?
R. Designed by Manuel Encarnación Guerrero and made by María Ossa de Amador
6. What do the colors of our flag represent?
Blue represents the Conservative Party of Colombia; Red represents the Liberal Party of Colombia; and white
represents the peace and unity that should reign in the new nation.
7. What do the stars on our flag represent or symbolize?
The blue star represents 'purity and honesty' and the red star represents 'authority and law.'
8. Where should our flag be raised?
It is mandatory to raise the National Flag daily, in public buildings or establishments, aboard the vessels of
Panamanian registration; and likewise on board foreign vessels that enter Panamanian jurisdictional waters, or to
the national ports or those that transit through the Panama Canal.
9. Who designed our shield?
R. Designed by Nicanor Villalaz.
10. What does each part of our shield represent? (8 parts)
R. Parts of the Shield
Harpy Eagle: Represents sovereignty
Stars: They symbolize the stars of the country
Green field: Represents vegetation
Saber and rifle hanging: They symbolize peace.

Shovel and hoe: They represent work

Winged wheel: Represents progress
Cornucopia: It symbolizes wealth.
Central landscape: It shows the Isthmus with its seas and the sky, in which the sun stands out hiding behind the mountain and

the moon rising behind the night waves. This landscape symbolizes the solemn hour of Panama's separation
from Colombia.
11. Who created the music and lyrics of our national anthem?
 Music by Santos Jorge and lyrics by Jerónimo de la Ossa.
12. What are the representative elements of nationality?
R. The Flower of the Holy Spirit, the Skirt, the Coin, Harpy Eagle, and the Tree of Panama.
13. What are the causes of the independence of Panama?
Abandonment by the crown; abuse by the ruling authorities; discontent because the Spaniards occupied the
higher government positions; limitations on trade and economic growth in the isthmus.
14. On what date was the cry of independence given in the villa of Los Santos?
November 10, 1821.
15. What is the day of the national symbols?
R. November 4.
16. Who was Simón Bolívar?
He was a Venezuelan, military, politician, visionary, and defender of the principles of freedom and democracy. He had an interest
to create a confederation of American states, for which he convened an Anfictiónic Congress in Panama (that
it means confederation of city). The objective of the meeting was to achieve the unity of the continent and creating a

confederation of American states. Contributed to the emancipation of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and
Venezuela. Moreover, he was the founder of Gran Colombia and Bolivia.
17. What famous phrase did Simón Bolívar say about Panama?
R. "It seems that if the world were to choose its capital, the isthmus of Panama would be marked for this august destiny,
placed as it is in the center of the globe, looking on one side at Asia and on the other, Africa and Europe.
18. How many separatist movements of Panama from Colombia were there and in what year?

There were four separatist attempts in 1826, 1830, 1831, and 1840.
19. Who created the federal state of Panama and what does it consist of?

R. Justo Arosemena created the Federal State and it consisted of the government being close to the citizens. Therefore, the
the mayor government for the Panamanians was not the one managed from Bogotá, but the one established on the Isthmus and, above all, in the

Panama City. Thus, the council, led by Panamanian merchants, would politically and economically direct the
destinations of the country, under a federal regime. This regime would keep the Isthmus united with New Granada and prevent the
absorption by the United States.
20. What is celebrated on November 5th?
Our separation from Colombia is formally consolidated.
On November 3, the battalion arrived in Colón with 500 soldiers, commanded by Ramon Amaya and Juan Tovar.
those who traveled without the battalion to Panama, where they were taken prisoner by General Esteban Huertas.
battalion was placed under the command of Colonel Eliseo Torres, who was not allowed to travel with his men to Panama. Torres
He was convinced by the revolutionary board of Colon to withdraw with his troops from the isthmus, which he did, but not without first

receive $8000 in bribes. Torres and his troops left Panama on the ship 'Orinoco', this action guaranteed the
Panamanian separation definitively.
21. What were the two political parties that existed in Gran Colombia?
 Liberal and Republican.
22. What did the watermelon slice incident consist of?
On April 15, 1856, the watermelon slice incident occurred, which was led by the American Jack.
Oliver, along with other friends, took a slice of watermelon from the Panamanian vendor José Manuel Luna, which he ate and
then he refused to pay its value, which was 5 cents. In response to Luna's claims, Oliver reacted violently and
generated a dispute between the Panamanians and the Americans present in the area, the result of the
the dispute resulted in 15 Americans and 2 Panamanians dead.
23. Name three prominent figures of independence?
R. José de Fábrega, Manuel José Hurtado and José María Carreño.
24. What was the Thousand Days' War about?
It was a bloody civil war that broke out as a consequence of the rivalries and conflicts (political and ideological) of
the two traditional political parties of Colombia: the liberal and the conservative. This occurred through successive meetings in

different places in the country, this war lasted more than three years (1899-1902), during which armed groups from
Liberal parties rose simultaneously in different Colombian cities, attacking the respective garrisons.
military of the conservative government. These last ones, spread throughout the national territory, responded, each one, to
the liberal uprisings that confronted them.
This conflict affected Panama due to the mandatory recruitment of the population, payments were demanded from the new company
from the canal and from the railway to exempt employees who were to serve in the military, this is how the liberals
Panamanians led by Belisario Porras protest and confront Colombian conservative troops. The government
Colombian conservative attentive to the income from the department of Panama implementing loans and
mandatory contributions to the businesses of the isthmus and they protested, because of this Porras traveled to Central America in

seeking help as the situation in the isthmus was concerning, José Antonio Zelaya from Nicaragua offers support with
110 men, who arrive with Porras in Panama on March 31, 1900, and our country becomes involved in the war
Colombia. When the central government (Colombia) increases the salt tax and the Local Government (governor of
Isthmus) establishes a monopoly on salt and requires the indigenous people to pay a tithe on salt to the church, Victoriano Lorenzo who

the mayor of the southern area was in disagreement and rises up against the government. The liberals led by
Porras won several fights with the support of Victoriano Lorenzo, but differences arose that led them to the
dissolution of part of its army. After three years, the wear and tear of the Panamanian troops and through the mediation of the States

United the Wisconsin Pact was signed, which ends the war between both sides.
25. Who was Victoriano Lorenzo and how did he die?
R. He was a campesino from Cocle who protested against the abuses of tax and tithe collectors. He
he opposed the landowners and local power brokers (A person who exerts excessive influence in political matters in a town or region)

the administrators), who aspired to obtain goods for themselves. He was executed after a hasty trial and then
Executed, he is considered a national symbol of the peasant and indigenous social struggle.

26. What consequences did the 1000 Days War bring for Panama?
 This war resulted in thousands of deaths, ruined the economy, destroyed cities, instability.
politics, population displacements, consequences, soon led to the subsequent separation of Panama from
Colombia.
27. What treaty did Panama sign to start the construction of the canal?
The Hay-Bunau-Varilla treaty was signed on November 18, 1903.
28. In what year did the Panama Canal pass into Panamanian hands?

December 31, 1999.

29. Who were the first to attempt to build a canal through Panama, but failed?
R. The French.
30. Who was Rufina Alfaro?
R. She was a beautiful and single woman from Los Santos, who voluntarily joined the independence movement.
led by Segundo de Villarreal, he sent the young woman to spy on the soldiers in the barracks and inform what
As the young woman enters the barracks, she notices that the soldiers are caught off guard and do not have their rifles ready.
She calls on the Panamanians to take the city and surround the barracks to trap the soldiers without resistance.
Then an open council was summoned where the town of Los Santos declared itself a city free from the Spanish colonial yoke.
31. Who drafted the declaration of independence of Panama from Spain?
R. Manuel José Hurtado
32. Who formed the revolutionary junta in 1903?
R. Nicanor de Obarrio, Tomas Arias, Manuel Espinosa, Ricardo Arias, Carlos Arosemena, José Agustín Arango, Manuel
Amador Guerrero and Federico Boyd.
33. What was the name of the Colombian battalion that arrived in Colón to prevent the separation?

R. Battalion Shooters.
34. What is the name of the Colombian general who supported our separation?
R. Esteban Huertas.
35. What does the expression 'Pro mundi beneficio' mean that appears on the ribbon carried by the eagle in the national coat of arms?

R. For the benefit of the world.

36. According to law 2 of February 27, 2012, where should the national anthem be sung?
1. It is mandatory for all television stations, radio broadcasters, and internet information systems to generate their
signal in the national territory to broadcast the lyrics and music of the National Anthem at the beginning and end of their programming

regular.
Television and radio broadcasting plants that operate continuously must suspend
temporarily its regular programming at six in the morning, with the purpose of broadcast the lyrics and music of
National Anthem.
It is also mandatory to sing the National Anthem, with its lyrics and music, at commemorative events of the anniversary.
from the Separation of Panama from Colombia and the Independence of Spain and other national civic dates; when taking
 the possession of his position by the president of the Republic and in any other analogous act that bears special characteristics,

cultural, scientific and sports.

At the solemn events held by public and private institutions, during the moment when the
National Anthem, everyone in the vicinity of the area must stand at attention.
silence, without hats the gentlemen, except for people with any disability.
The entrance and exit of the president of the Republic at official events will be announced, those present will stand.
standing up and the score of Greetings to the President, authored by Professor José Luis Cajar, will be played.

Likewise, it is mandatory for the educational community to sing the National Anthem in every center.
official or private educator of the Republic in the civic act, with or without musical accompaniment.
37. What do these words from our anthem mean? Dilación, Lares, Prez, and Feraz.
R. Delay: Postponement or tardiness

Home
Honor that is acquired with a glorious action
Fertile
38. What are some prohibitions regarding the use of national symbols?
R. Prohibitions on the Use of Patriotic Symbols
a) At the end of the Anthem, one should not applaud or make any expression of joy.
b) The use, interpretation, or representation of any of the Symbols of the Nation in cantinas, clubs is prohibited.
nightclubs, dance halls, gambling places, brothels or occasional places and other establishments
similar.
c) It is prohibited for logos and trademarks to contain the representation of any National Symbol. This will be serious.
regulated in the manual of the Symbols of the Nation.
d) It is forbidden to touch or reproduce itNational Anthema part of it as propaganda or to interpret it in rhythm or style
different from the original.

e) TheNational Flagit should not be hoisted before 7:00 a.m. nor remain raised after 6:00 p.m., nor should it
to remain raised while it rains.
f) The printing of the Coat of Arms and the Anthem for commercial purposes is prohibited.

g) Individuals and public or private entities are prohibited from using the Symbols of the Nation as a container for
cover other objects or as support for them.
39. What does it mean that the country of Panama is sovereign?

The Panamanian nation is organized as a sovereign and independent state whose name is the Republic of Panama.
his government is unitary republican democratic and representative.
40. How does Panama celebrate its National Holidays?

November is known as the month of the homeland, as it is during this month that the events took place.
historical figures that were part of the process to build our free and sovereign nation, that is why the country is
dressed in the representative colors of our nation (Red, White, and Blue) to honor with parades and various
memorable acts that included the raising of the National Flag, the oath to the Flag, and the singing of the Anthem.