The American Era Ends: Treaty and Transition
The American Era Ends: Treaty and Transition
1977
US and Panama negotiations for a Panama Canal Zone treaty completed in the Carter administration.
President Carter and General Torrijos sign the Panama Canal treaties (the Torrijos-Carter Treaties) in Washington, DC. The two treaties abrogate the Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty of 1903 and call for the US to eventually turn over control of the waterway to Panama.
1978
The U.S. Senate votes 68-32 to turn the Panama Canal over to Panamanian control on December 31, 1999.
President Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos exchange instruments of ratification for the Panama Canal treaties.
1979
The 1977 Panama Canal Treaties become law. The US returns the Canal Zone, but not the canal, to Panama after 75 years.
1981
The leader of Panama, General Omar Torrijos, dies in a plane crash.
1982
President Ronald Reagan approves the new Panama Canal Commission official seal by Executive Order.
1985
Agreement signed at the United Nations by the United States, Panama, and Japan for a commission to study alternatives and/or modifications to the Panama Canal.
1989
President George H. Bush orders US forces into Panama in part “to protect the integrity of the Panama Canal Treaty.” 26,000 US soldiers occupy Panama and capture former intelligence chief and US Central Intelligence Agency informant, Panamanian President Manual Noreiga, for racketeering and drug trafficking.
1996
Panama Canal Commission becomes a government corporation with the signing into public law by President Bill Clinton.
1998
The Panama Canal Museum opened in Seminole, Mireya Moscoso elected President of Panama, the first woman to hold that position.
1999
US hands over control of the Panama Canal on December 31, 1999, ending the American Era.
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