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President Theodore Roosevelt
President Theodore Roosevelt oversaw the realization of a long-term United States goal. He wanted to built a trans-isthmian canal. Throughout the 1800s, American and British leaders and businessmen wanted to ship goods quickly and cheaply between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. -
Work stopped
France began work on the canal in 1881. But they stopped due to engineering problems and a high worker mortality rate. Workers were getting ill and many died, but this was not the case for the American building effort. -
Denied going home
In 1883, an estimated 400 workers died of disease. Compared with only 126 the year before. More than 300 french engineers working asked to return home, but they were all denied. -
Yellow Fever
In May 2, 1904 the United States buys what is left of the French Canal construction company. But then in November 21, 1904 Yellow fever started to get the workers ill. Because of this many engineer workers resigned and traveled back to their home in the US. -
New work equipment
In July 26, 1905 the new chief engineer arrives in Panama stressing the importance of sanitation before work continues. He immediately places an order for new state of the art equipment. This equipment will improve the rate of work that is being done and will make it more efficient. -
Repairing the railroad
With the rusty Panama railroad now 60 years old, in August 1, 1905 John Stevens realizes that he is unable to cart out the spoil at the same rapid pace as it is being dug. Because of this he stops the work process and focuses on repairing the railroad. -
Preventing mosquitos
November 11, 1905 the last death was reported in Panama City. Gorgas got 90,000 dollars worth of copper screening. The copper screening is to protect workers from getting bitten by mosquitos. -
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Panama Canal completed
In 1913 the Canal was completed. A year later the Panama Canal was open to the public with a toll of 90 cents per cargo ton. Than in 1999 the United States hands over the Panama Canal to Panama. -
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Expanding the Panama Canal
In 2007 the record for total annual tonnage transported through the canal is broken with over 312 million tons crossing the Panama Canal. Also in 2007 37% of the ships worldwide were too big to fit through the Panama Canal. So Panama began to improve the project by widening the passage. The project was scheduled to be completed in 2014. -
Panama Canal today
To this year, 2016, the Panama Canal is owned and administered by the Republic of Panama. It connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the narrow Isthmus of Panama. The length of the Panama Canal from shoreline to shoreline is about 40 miles (65 km).
