Pan American Day

Pan American Day is an annual American holiday with official status. It is dedicated to the International Union of the Americas, which unites South American and North American states. The holiday is observed on April 14. It encourages people to learn more about the union and to delve into the history of its creation.

History

The idea of creating a union that would include all American states, not just the U.S., was first discussed at the Panama Congress in 1826. The proposal was made by Henry Martin and Simón Bolívar. The formation of such a union would have united all American nations, but the idea was not realized at that time, as most countries were focused on supporting their own national interests.

A few decades later, on April 14, 1890, the idea of the Union was revived at the First International Conference of American States, held in Washington, D.C. The newly created union included 18 member countries. In 1930, President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided to further develop the union. The continuous addition of new members and the expansion of union-wide activities led, in 1948, to the official creation and consolidation of the Organization of American States (O.A.S.) at the state level.

Interesting Facts

• Today, the O.A.S. has 35 member countries.
• The joint efforts of the Pan-American organization led to the approval and endorsement of the Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, drafted by the United States.

How to Celebrate

Learn more about O.A.S. activities on this day. Attend lectures at museums and libraries to deepen your understanding of the history of the Pan American Union.

Spread the word on social media. Let more people know about it!

When is Pan American Day in 2025?

Pan American Day is observed on April 14 each year.

Observations