In 1903, the United States and the newly independent country of Panama signed the Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty. This was a follow-up of the unsuccessful Hay-Herran Treaty, using largely the same terms. However, unlike Colombia, Panama would agree to the terms, which established a Panama Canal Zone[?] that was 10 miles wide.
... on Port Arthur (Lushun)[?] starts Russo-Japanese War
February 23 - For $10 million the United States gains control of the Panama Canal Zone.
March 3 - Kaiser ...