Photo of the Week
October 31,  2010 



This week's photo is a photo from the same collection as last week's photo.  Another very unique photo taken in the Presidential Palace in Panama City.  When I first saw this photo, I knew this must be a young Queen Elizabeth.  I did some research on the Internet and found this information from several sources.

On  June 2nd, 1953, the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place. In November of the same year the newly crowned queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, undertook an extensive Commonwealth tour which took them to Panama to transit the Panama Canal on their way to Australia.  They arrived in Panama on  November 29, 1953. 

While in Panama, President Jose Antonio Remon Cantera presented the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II the Gold Collar of the Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero 1953.  The Orden de Manuel Amador Guerrero (Order of Manuel Amador Guerrero in English) is the highest honor of Panama. It is named after Manuel Amador Guerrero, the first president of Panama. The order was established on the 50th anniversary of Panama's independence on 29 October 1953, and has been awarded to distinguished people (Panamanians and Non Panamanians) in the sciences arts, and politics for over 50 years.

José Antonio Remón Cantera (April 11, 1908 – January 2, 1955) was president of Panama from 1 October 1952 until his murder – by machine-gun fire at a Panama City, racetrack - on 2 January 1955. He belonged to the National Patriotic Coalition (CNP).  Beginning in 1953, his administration began to negotiate amendments to the Panama Canal treaty with the U.S. administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. These negotiations led to an agreement, ratified in 1955, that substantially raised the annual annuity paid to Panama (from $430,000 to $1.9 million) and resulted in the handover of approximately $20 million in property from the Panama Canal Company to Panama.

Also known as General José Remón was the man behind the scenes of several coups that ousted Dr. Arnulfo Arias from power, and arguably the true founder of the social reforming militarism that was later dubbed "Torrijismo" after General Omar Torrijos. "Neither millions nor alms – we want justice" was Remón's most memorable statement of principles. Remón went on to be elected President of Panama in his own right but was assassinated on January 2, 1955. The crime was never solved.

This photo was taken by the Panama Press Service of the time.

What a great moment in history.

 


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