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Hey-Herran Treaty
The development of the Panama Canal began with the signing of the Hay-Herran Treaty by the United States and Colombia never ratified the treaty, which would have given up partial control of the isthmus in exchange for $10 million and an annual payment of $250,000, it caused the U.S. to support a Panamanian uprising that resulted in independence and the eventual construction of the Canal. -
Two weeks before-hand
The construction started two weeks after the U.S bought the rest of the property from France. France tried and failed to build the canal in the 1880s. The 40$ million coupled with the 10$ million the U.S paid Panama in February 1904 for control of the canal. They laid the groundwork for the canal later that year. In February 1907 President Theodore Roosevelt appointed Col. George Washington Goethals chief engineer, using his military background to help the project through completion. -
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Decade of construction
it's been almost a decade of construction President Woodrow Wilson sent a signal from the White House to blow up the Gamboa Dike, causing water to flow into the Panama Canal and joining the Atlantic and Pacific oceans for the first time. -
The Alexandre La Valley
The Alexandre La Valley, an old French crane boat, reached the Pacific Ocean and became the first self-propelled vessel to cross the Panama Canal. The crane moved through the waterway during the final stages of construction, which would end later that year. -
Construction Complete
Construction was completed and the Panama Canal officially opened for traffic from around the world with the passage of the S.S. Ancon cargo ship. In total, the project cost the U.S. almost $375 million — the rough equivalent of $8.6 billion today. For the first several months of its operation, the canal was closed to warships as World War I began in Europe. -
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Extra Canal Locks Needed
Additional construction was planned or completed for the Panama Canal, Including extra water storage and more locks. In 1935, The Madden Dam was created to prevent the flooding of the Chagres River, which flows into the Gatun lake, a major part of the canal. In 1939, a new set of locks were planned in order to carry large US warships through the Canal and defend it against enemies. Unfortunately the development was cancelled due to WW2 -
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Secret talks
1962 President John F Kennedy and Panama President Roberto Chiari met in Washington for a series of secret talks regarding the occupation of the Panama Canal. The series of talks were a result of continued unrest in Panama. The talks led in favor for the U.S and caused riots and other violent demonstrations.
