The Primer Grito de Independencia, or First Cry of Independence, is commemorated every November 10 in La Villa de Los Santos, the town where the movement to break away from Spanish rule was first ignited in 1821. This historic uprising set in motion the events that led to Panama's independence from Spain, and the date is honored as one of the country's most significant patriotic holidays.
The commemoration features civic ceremonies, patriotic parades with school marching bands, folkloric presentations and cultural events that fill the streets of the historic town. As the birthplace of Panamanian independence, La Villa de Los Santos takes special pride in the occasion, drawing officials, students and visitors who come to honor the courage of the town's founders.
Falling within Panama's month of national holidays, the First Cry of Independence connects the country's colonial past with its enduring sense of identity and freedom. It is a meaningful occasion to experience the history and civic spirit of the Azuero Peninsula.
