The lowering  of the national flag to  half mast on Wednesday in the Plaza Independencia, in Casco Viejo, by President, Juan Carlos Varela, accompanied by Cabinet Ministers and relatives of the victims, was the first  of multiple commemorative  acts   to mark the martyrdom  of   high school students on January 9, 1964 which ultimately led to control of the US-built canal passing  to Panama.

The president and entourage later paid tribute at The Garden of  Peace .