When is Pan American Day?
Pan American Day is April 14th.
What is Pan American Day?
Mexicans and Peruvians, Canadians and Americans, we all want peace. We want our kids to prosper in stable economies bound by vibrant relationships with our neighbors. Pan American Day celebrates peace and economic opportunity in the Western Hemisphere.
In terms of global trade, the Americas are the new kid on the block. Sure, Columbus landed in the West Indies centuries ago, but these two continents are still brimming with harvestable resources and hopeful peoples. To pass these beautiful lands on to our children will require sustainable, thoughtful development, as well as collaboration with our immediate geographical neighbors.
In the U.S., Pan American Day lands on April 14th, the anniversary of the First International Conference of American States, held in 1890. That meeting promoted peaceful trade and stable international relations. Several other countries in the Americas celebrate Pan American Day too, though not always on the same day.
Fun facts about Pan American Day!
- Honduras celebrates Pan American Day on April 14th as well.
- Belize observes Pan American Day on October 12th, but the Belizeans celebrate it more like Columbus Day.
- U.S. Secretary of State James G. Blaine, as organizer of the conference, intended to be president of the First International Conference of American States. He withdrew his bid for the presiding chair after a hullabaloo raised by Chile and Argentina.
- The First International Conference of American States confirmed for Latin American countries their status as equal to all other states in the Americas, regardless of their size, military situation, wealth, or population.
How to celebrate Pan American Day:
- Write to your elected officials to let them know you support open and productive collaboration with North American and South American countries.
- Learn about other countries in the Western Hemisphere. Beyond bare economic or political facts, look for stories about how people live, how they work, how they celebrate, and what they hold dear.
What’s the hashtag for Pan American Day?
Use #PanAmericanDay on social media to promote peace in the Western Hemisphere.