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Panama gains independence from Colombia after Colobia denies Panama the right to allow the United States to build a canal. The revolution was backed by the U.S.
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The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty was signed by Panama which gave the United States control of the 10 mile wide, 50 mile long strip of land called the "Canal Zone" for $10 million
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Current US President Theodore Roosevelt travels to Panama to witness the beginning stages of the canal.
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The Panama Canal is opened under United States control, creating a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for the first time.
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President Jimmy Carter signs the treaty which gives both the US and Panama control of the canal until 1999.
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The United states removes the last troops from the Canal Zone, Panama takes complete control of the canal on December 31.
