Opening of the Suez Canal
November 17, 1869
Related events (1 degree away • 2 degrees away)
Opening of the Suez Canal
The canal across the Isthmus of Suez, built by a French company with Egyptian labour, opened and joined the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. It shortened the sea route from Europe to Asia and became a strategic prize; Britain bought Egypt's shares in 1875.
Location
- Ismailia, Egypt