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Honoring Important Canal and Canal Zone Workers
In honor of the first International Day for People of African Descent, we celebrate the extraordinary contributions of the thousands of West Indian workers and others of African descent who have participated in the construction, maintenance, defense, and operation of the Panama Canal and the Canal Zone. Between 55,000-100,000 West Indians went to Panama during in the 19th and early 20th century, and they were the largest group employed on the construction of the Canal. Although some people returned to the countries they had left, many stayed in Panama to create homes and families. They became an integral part of the work forces and communities in Panama and the Canal Zone. Today is a day to highlight the important role they played in this incredible history.
Workers pull a rope in the Balboa Dry Docks with the ship Reina del Pacifico in the background 
Culebra Cut, Culebra. Steam Shovel loading rock, March, 1911 
Panama Canal Review, October 2, 1953 
Group picture in front of Supply Department Main Office, 1950s 
Miss Emily Butcher, music supervisor, conducts a third grade class in rhythm, while Walter Oliver and Alford E. Osborne observe. Paraiso Elementary School, Canal Zone, March 12, 1954 (Available in the Digital Library of the Caribbean, https://www.dloc.com/PCMI013240/00001/33x) 
Women selling bananas at Culebra, Early 20th century 
Wedding party in 1913 in Culebra, Panama Canal Review, May 1965 
Driving Concrete Piles, Mindi Dock C.Z., During World War II, July 1942. To learn more about the International Day for People of African Descent visit the United Nations website page: https://www.un.org/en/observances/african-descent-day
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School Days in the Canal Zone
Panama Canal Review, August 7, 1956 In honor of the end of summer vacation and the first week of school for the Fall 2021 semester here at the University of Florida we are posting a few objects from the collection that many of you might recognize as well as some stories that describe getting ready for the first week of school for many Canal Zone students.
Panama Canal Review, September 3, 1954 Once everyone had either arrived back in the Canal Zone from vacation or had finished up their Summer Recreation Program, the commissaries were there to help with everything the students needed from the latest trends in clothes and shoes to all their school supplies.
Panama Canal Review, August 4, 1950 
Panama Canal Review, August 5, 1955 
Panama Canal Review, August 5, 1955 There was also advice for those students leaving for college.
Panama Canal Review, August 1951. Follow this link for a digital copy of this issue that is easier to read, page 14: http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00097366/00225 The school publications were working to make sure the first day of school was a success for Canal Zone students.
Parrakeet, Balboa High School Newspaper, September 9, 1965 
Parents with kids crossing the street on registration day at Balboa Elementary School, Canal Zone. September 5, 1951, 2002.028.002 Gallery of Documents from the Canal Zone Schools. Click the arrows to move through the images: Canal Zone Schools Pass (2001.078.012), Notebook from Curundu Junior High School (II.2019.10.49), Cristobal District School Buss Pass (2005.097.019.004), Canal Zone College Student Handbook 1970-1971 (1999.021.018.001), Registration Form for Canal Zone Schools (2002.152.034)
What do you remember about the first day of school in the Canal Zone Schools? What was your favorite back-to-school purchase from the commissary? Did you ever fill out any of these forms or have a pink hall pass?
