What year did the Panama Canal first open?

The Panama Canal is an American-built waterway completed in 1914. Because of the outbreak of World War I, plans for a grand opening were cancelled. Opening festivities became a modest local affair. The Panama Railway steamship SS Ancon made the first official transit of the canal on August 15, 1914.

Specifically, the canal goes across the Isthmus of Panama, and it connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The 48-mile-long passage was created as an important shortcut for ships; after the canal was constructed, a vessel sailing between New York and California was able to bypass the long journey around the tip of South America and trim nearly 8,000 miles from its voyage. The Panama Canal, which uses a system of locks to lift ships 85 feet above sea level, was the largest engineering project of its time.

Now, hailed as one of the great achievements of the 20th Century, the Panama Canal connects 160 countries and 1,700 ports around the world.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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28 Comments

William Laughlin

Neil Skinner, Your figures are far from accurate. According to hospital records, 5,609 died of diseases and accidents during the U.S. construction period of the Panama Canal. Of these, 4,500 were West Indian workers. A total of 350 white Americans died. There were 53,402 American lives lost during WWI.

Janice Marler

I knew because my maternal grandfather worked on it.

Jas Newman

Another piece of interesting trivia: The Atlantic end of the canal is west of the Pacific end.

Caroline Weis

Neil Skinner, yes and I believe that some of those deaths were from malaria and not every one knew the cause until a doctor found out most were bitten by mosquitos and it was commonly called "yellow fever"

Corey Taylor

A man, a plan, a canal... PANAMA!

Benedikte Nellerod

Would never have got that in a million years .

Jim Hubbard

The country of Panama was created with U.S. approval and open support in order to build the Panama Canal, since the land belonged to Colombia and the Colombian senate did not want to ratify the treaty with the U.S. for building the canal. Ultimately, Panamanian sovereignty was the reason then-President Carter signed the Panama Canal and Neutrality Treaties in 1977 and the canal was returned to Panama in 1999. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/panama-to-control-canal

Carole Benner

Damn. Was my first choice again and changed it

Marcela Gajardo Villar

Aquí se aprovechó Estados Unidos de las inversiones que había hecho Francia para construir el Canal

Dave Mac

I had to figure when Teddy was President, and I guessed right.

Gayle Shull Brown

downtownv, I don't understand, why did you say '7 point slam dunk'? If I read my question correctly, it was worth 5 points. So why did you indicate a 7? What am I missing?