October 3, 1934 will never be forgotten. This is an important date in the historical course of all Panamanian radio communications. That was the day on which the end of an era of humiliation and moral coercion was officially sealed, and the date on which the birth certificate of freedom of radio communication in the Republic of Panama was printed when the Law was implemented. 12 of October 3, 1934, which ordered the establishment of radiotelegraph and broadcasting stations in the Republic of Panama. The rest is history…
Four years later, on December 29, 1930, a few hours before the first armed uprising in the history of Panama, President Florencio Harmodio Arosemena rescinded the unfavorable decree in which the Republic of Panama gave the United States of America permanent and complete control of wireless communications in the territory of Panama. However, despite this, even in 1934 the Department of the Navy of the United States continued to put pressure on Panama, opposing the installation of any kind of radio stations in its territory, arguing that it would affect security. of the Panama Canal and that they should cause embarrassment and interference to the stations operated by the United States in Panama. Despite all of this, for Panama, even after obtaining the bad order, the problem is still not resolved due to the interpretation given by the United States to the clauses of the Canal Treaty. The government of Dr. Harmodio Arias Madrid faced the problem of choosing between the humiliating obligation imposed by the great power of America according to the thesis of the Treaty of 1903, or strongly supporting the sovereignty of Panama which required the exercise of Panama’s right to enjoy communications of radio which is growing rapidly all over the world.
Following his instinct as a distinguished statesman, Dr. Harmodio Arias traveled to Washington to discuss an agreement that would fix the famous injustices of the 1903 Treaty and clarify the sovereign right of the Panamanian country to be able to enjoy the benefits of wireless communication. . The result constituted a great political victory for the Republic of Panama, the doors were fully opened for Panama to prove its sovereignty and on October 3, 1934, through Law 12 of that date, the installation of radio broadcasters and television stations are ordered. communication that will promote the economic and cultural development of the Republic of Panama, in the full use of the right that has been violated in our country almost since its birth.
Therefore, although radio amateurs around the world often celebrate World Amateur Radio Day at other times, for the Panamanian radio communication sector and for Panamanian radio amateurs, October 3 represents a an unforgettable date, worth remembering. and happiness.
