Legislation1903
Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty Signed
The United States and Panama signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, granting the U.S. control of the Panama Canal Zone. The treaty was controversial from the start, as it was signed just two weeks after Panama declared independence from Colombia with U.S. support.
Why It Matters
The Panama Canal project raised lasting questions about American foreign policy, executive power, and the relationship between national interests and the sovereignty of other nations.