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Mar 23, 1502
Discovery
Spanish explorer Rodrigo de Bastidas visits Panama -
Independence
Panama becomes independent of Spain, but joins the confederacy of Gran Colombia, which also comprises Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. -
Treaty
Panama signs treaty with US allowing it to build a railway across the isthmus. -
Real Independence
Panama splits from Colombia and becomes fully independent. US buys rights to build Panama Canal. -
Panama Canal
Panama takes full control of the Panama Canal. -
Economy
Panama Canal earns record revenues of $1 billion for the financial year. -
Canal update
Voters in a referendum back a $5.2bn plan to upgrade the Panama Canal. -
Canal
Chinese freighter becomes the millionth vessel to cross the Panama Canal. -
Reform
Mining code reforms reversed following protests from indigenous groups and environmentalists. -
Free Trade
US Congress approves long-stalled free trade agreement with Panama.