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1880
In 1880 the french started the construction of the panama canal. Ferdinand de Lesseps is the lead constructor for the canal. He runs in to many problems though. -
1902
In 1902 construction of the panama canal by the french had stopped due to sicknesses such as malaria and yellow fever. The french had lost 20,000 men due to this. The french plan to sell the canal to the U.S -
1904
On May 4th, 1904, the us bought the strip of land from france for 40 million, and the 10 million for control of the canal from panama. This decision was made by US president Theodore Roosevelt. -
1913
On October 10th, 1913, president Woodrow Wilson sent the signal from the white house to blow up the Gamboa Dike, letting water into the panama canal. Although this was not its completion, it was celebrated around the world. -
Cost
The canal cost the US 375$ million dollars, an equivalent to 8.6 billion dollars today. For the first months warships were not allowed through because of WW1. -
1914
On january 7th, 1914, the Alexandre La Valley, an old French crane boat crossed the panama canal into the pacific ocean, this was the first self powered vessel to cross the canal. -
1914
On August 3rd, 1914 the S.S Cristobal was the first passenger vessel to cross the panama canal. The Cristobal and sister ship S.S Ancon were some of the biggest commercial ships the U.S had at the time. -
1914
On August 15th, 1914, the canal was officially finished. This is when the canal was officially opened to the public. The S.S ancon, the S.S Cristobal’s sister ship, was the first ship to officially cross the canal. -
1935-1939
1935 - 1939 more construction was planned for more water space and improved locks. The plan was scrapped as WWII arrived. Although some was completed. -
1977
On September 7, 1977, President Jimmy Carter passed a treaty that gave all rights to panama. This was after there had been decades of unrest and protests.
