Panama Canal

In 1534, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, ordered a survey to find a route through the Americas for ships traveling between Spain and Peru, aiming to gain a military advantage over the Portuguese.

Two years after a French team completes their own survey of Panama, the French government approves Ferdinand de Lesseps' plan for a sea-level canal in Panama. The estimated cost of the project is 1.2 billion francs ($240 million).

On May 3, 1885, racial tensions between native Panamanian and Jamaican workers escalated into a violent confrontation. Panamanian soldiers killed 25 Jamaicans and wounded 20 others, leading to the departure of many Jamaican laborers from the canal project.

On February 17, 1886, De Lesseps and a party from France and the United States visit Panama. De Lesseps predicts that the canal will be finished by July 1889.

Frustrated by the inefficiency of the excavation, Ferdinand de Lesseps hires Gustav Eiffel to build locks for the canal as a temporary solution while sea-level excavation continues.

Ferdinand de Lesseps and his son Charles are convicted of fraud and mismanagement related to the Canal project. This event leads to the collapse of de Lesseps' company, Compagnie Nouvelle, affecting numerous private investors.

The construction of the Panama Canal began on January 1, 1902, a significant engineering feat that would later revolutionize global trade and transportation.

On June 28, 1902, the United States acquired the rights to construct the Panama Canal from the French for 40 million dollars. This marked a significant step towards the eventual construction of the canal.

A revolution in Panama, supported by the U.S., leads to Panama breaking away from Colombia and forming the Republic of Panama.

On November 3, 1903, Panama declared independence from Colombia after Colombian troops were unable to negotiate the jungles of the Darien Strait.

Panama declares independence from Colombia after capturing the Colombian general and persuading remaining troops to leave the isthmus.

The United States officially recognizes the Republic of Panama two days after its declaration of independence from Colombia, deploying Navy ships to protect Panama's autonomy.

The Panama Canal Treaty was signed on November 18, 1903, granting the United States the rights to build and control the Panama Canal. This agreement had a major impact on international trade and naval strategy.

The Hay–Bunau-Varilla Treaty led to the independence of Panama from Colombia and paved the way for the United States to lead the construction of the Panama Canal.

On February 23, 1904, the United States acquired the rights to the Panama Canal from France, taking over the project.

President Roosevelt creates the Isthmian Canal Commission (ICC) to oversee the building of the Panama Canal. He urges them to commence construction promptly.

Panama agrees to give the U.S. control over the Panama Canal zone in exchange for $10 million.

On July 3, 1905, a Barbadian worker succumbs to bubonic plague, sparking the onset of the 'Great Scare' in the region.

New Chief Engineer John Stevens arrives in Panama and emphasizes the need for proper accommodations and sanitation before construction can proceed. He orders new equipment to enhance the excavation process.

On November 11, 1905, the last death from yellow fever was reported in Panama City after Gorgas implemented measures to protect workers from mosquito bites.

The ICC supports a project to build huge locks at Gatún and form the biggest man-made lake ever created.

President Roosevelt visits Panama to observe the progress, becoming the first sitting president to leave the U.S. This visit is seen as a turning point by many workers.

Despite significant advancements in canal engineering, John Stevens decides to resign from his position due to feeling that his expertise in railroad engineering is no longer required for the massive canal project. He refers to the canal as 'only a big ditch' in his resignation letter to President Roosevelt.

Following John Stevens' resignation, George Washington Goethals takes over the leadership of the Panama Canal project. This marks the start of the 'Goethals Years' which will see significant progress and completion of the canal under his direction.

In May 1911, the construction of the locks at Gatún started, with over 2,000 workers unloading significant amounts of spoil daily.

The Panama Canal Act (37 Stat 560) is signed, exempting American ships from paying tolls.

On October 9, 1913, the first ship passed through the Panama Canal lock as reported in The Day Book (Chicago, IL) on Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers.

November 17, 1913, marked the historic moment when the first ship successfully navigated through the Panama Canal, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

David du Bose Gaillard died in Baltimore at the age of 54 due to a brain tumor. He was promoted to colonel a month before his death, but did not live to see the completion of the canal he directed. The Culebra Cut was later renamed the Gaillard Cut in his honor.

The dike between the Miraflores Locks and the Pacific Ocean is blown up, bringing the water from the Pacific closer inland.

In 1914, the Panama Canal officially opened with safety features including emergency dams controlled by 72 Otis hoisting machines. These machines were used to manage water flow and secure the locks of the canal.

After a final push of excavation, an unbroken waterway connects the Atlantic to the Pacific.

The construction of the Panama Canal was officially completed on April 1, 1914, with the hand-over of the project from the construction company to the Panama Canal Zone government, signifying the end of a monumental engineering feat.

After years of extensive effort, controversy, and diplomatic negotiations, the Panama Canal was officially opened on August 15, 1914, facilitating trans-oceanic traffic and significantly impacting global maritime trade.

The Panama Canal, a key maritime transportation route, was officially opened on August 15, 1914. It revolutionized international trade by providing a shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly reducing travel time and costs for ships.

Channel lighting is installed along the Panama Canal, enabling vessels to navigate through the waterway 24 hours a day, enhancing efficiency and safety of maritime transportation.

On September 7, 1977, US President Jimmy Carter signed the Torrijos-Carter Treaty, initiating the process of transferring control of the Panama Canal to Panama for a symbolic fee of $1. The treaty paved the way for the eventual complete US withdrawal from the canal by December 31, 1999.

The official transfer of the Panama Canal to the Republic of Panama takes place.

By December 31, 1999, the United States completed its withdrawal from the administration of the Panama Canal as stipulated in the Torrijos-Carter Treaty. Panama took full control of the canal operations from this date onwards.

The expansion project of the Panama Canal known as the 'Third Set of Locks' began in 2007 with a significant explosion under Paraíso Hill, witnessed by a large crowd.

On June 26, 2016, the expansion of the Panama Canal was officially inaugurated, allowing commercial traffic to pass through the new locks. The event was marked by the crossing of the first ship, a Neopanamax vessel, through the third set of locks.