Though home to indigenous tribes, Panama came under Spanish control with the arrival of settlers in the 16th century. From 1538 until 1821 Panama was governed as part of the Viceroyalty of Peru.
The strategic position of Panama made the area one of the wealthiest and prestigious in the region. This helped to forge a sense of pride in a national identity quite early on amongst the new generations of settlers.
With the independence movements that was sweeping across this part of the Americas at that time, the hand of the Panamanian independence movement was forced when a small town called Villa de Los Santos, who made the first cry of independence on November 10th 1821. This key event in Panama’s history is also marked with a public holiday in Panama.
On 28 November, at an open town meeting, Panama was declared a sovereign entity and become independent from Spain. Fearing reprisals from Spain, the region sought protection and became a department within the Republic of Greater Colombia.