The following is a timeline of the history of Panama City, Republic of Panama. Prior to 20th century 1519 - Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion de Panama founded by Pedro Arias Dávila. 1539 - Royal Audiencia of Panama established. 1671 - Panamá Viejo sacked by privateers Henry Morgan and Robert Searle. 1673 New settlement established 5 miles southwest of Panamá Viejo. City wall, Palacio de las Garzas, and Saint Dominic Convent built. 1737 - Fire. 1752 - Royal Audiencia disestablished. 1760 - Cathedral built. 1821 - City becomes part of Gran Colombia. 1826 - June: City hosts Panama Congress. 1830 - City becomes part of Republic of New Granada. 1849 - Panama Star English-language newspaper begins publication. 1853 - La Estrella de Panamá newspaper in publication. 1855 - Panama Railway begins operating. 1856 - April 15: Watermelon Riot. 1878 - Fire. 1880 - Bishop's palace built. 1881 - Panama Canal construction begins. 1882 - L'Hospital Notre Dame de Canal established. 1887 - City fire department established. 20th century 1903 - City becomes part of independent Republic of Panama. 1904 - Ancon Hospital active. 1905 - Population: 22,000. 1908 - National Theatre of Panama opens. 1911 Way On Cemetery established. Population: 46,500. 1914 - Panama Canal begins operating. 1916 - National Exposition of Panama held. 1924 National Archive building dedicated. Hospital Santo Tomas rebuilt. 1925 - "Protest strike" against urban conditions. 1930 - Population: 74,400. 1935 - University of Panama established. 1940 - Population: 111,800. 1947 - December: Anti-U.S. unrest. 1950 - Population: 127,874. 1953 - Auto-Cine (drive-in cinema) opens. 1955 - Club Deportivo Plaza Amador (football club) formed. 1962 - Bridge of the Americas opens. 1964 - January: Anti-U.S. unrest. 1970 - Gimnasio Nuevo Panama (arena) opens. 1975 - Population: 404,190 (approximate). 1981 - La Prensa newspaper begins publication. 1985 - Parque Municipal Summit established. 1986 - Mossack Fonseca law firm in business. 1988 - Metropolitan Natural Park opens. 1989 December 20: United States invasion of Panama begins. Guillermo Endara becomes president Mayin Correa becomes mayor of Panamá District. 1990 - Dictator Manuel Noriega surrenders to United States military forces on January 3. 1993 - Mi Pueblito created. 1994 - Ernesto Perez Balladares wins May 1994 elections and becomes president. 1995 Club Deportivo Policía Nacional (football club) formed. Population: 452,041 (estimate). 1996 Marine Exhibition Center of Punta Culebra established. Miramar Towers built. 1997 Cines Alhambra (cinema) in business. Panama Canal