Panama is unusual in that it celebrates three independence days. 110 years ago today, it declared independence from Colombia. But, in fact, it did that at the instigation of the United States, which wanted badly to build a canal there. Colombia pulled out of negotiations, so the U.S. caused a little revolution to happen. The canal got built, but both Colombia and Panama were pretty well screwed over. That's why the third independence day celebrated in Panama is the day Jimmy Carter announced the U.S. would turn the canal over to Panama. Nov. 1, 2013.