Professional Heroism: the Construction of a Pantheon of Heroes in Panama (1903-1931)

Abstract

This article focuses on how Panamanian intellectuals and politicians searched into colonial and nineteenth century regional history for elements that could help them construct narratives, produce a new historiography, and create symbols that differentiated Panama from Colombia. This served to justify the separation of 1903, through the writing of a new national history. In addition, this article focuses on the creation of a pantheon of national heroes. The article argues that the celebration of the deeds and lives of the men chosen to enter such a pantheon of heroes intended to promote civic nationalism. Hence, most of the men chosen were civilians, not military men, who, allegedly, used their professional skills to bring progress to the nation in a peaceful manner.