Martyrs’ Day in Panama, observed on January 9 every year, is a national day of mourning commemorating the anti-American riots over the sovereignty of the Panama Canal Zone on January 9, 1964. Students were slain after a clash between Canal Zone Police officers and locals when a Panamanian flag was vandalized, which sparked the unrest. After Canal Zone police succumbed to the ensuing violence, U.S. Army soldiers had to intervene. Approximately 22 Panamanians and four American soldiers were killed after three days of warfare. According to the Torrijos-Carter Treaties of 1977, the United States decided to hand over the authority of the Canal Zone to Panama as a result of this incident.
Day of Los Reyes
Day of Los Reyes is an annual Catholic holiday celebrated in Uruguay on January 6. The original name of the holiday is the Spanish ‘Día de Los Reyes,’ meaning ‘honor the wise men.’ The holiday commemorates the arrival of the wise men at the birth of Jesus Christ. In the Christian Bible’s accounts of the birth of Jesus, wise men from the east arrived at the site where Jesus was born. The men worshipped him and presented him with precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Día de Los Reyes is also observed in other Latin American countries like Puerto Rico, Peru, Paraguay, Mexico, Spain, and Argentina.
National Day of Dialogue
Founded by the Ideos Institute, National Day of Dialogue is an annual event held on January 5 to promote open dialogue. There’s so much misinformation, political divides are widening, and social and economic inequality continues to grow. Supported by both local and international organizations, the event welcomes all who are seeking to heal a world that’s in turmoil and find common ground through the power of dialogue. It’s a day of peacebuilding, dialogue, empathy, and so much more.
*The Ideos Institute is in no way affiliated, associated with, nor supportive of Focus on the Family’s Day of Dialogue. All incorrect information has been amended.