When Was the Suez Canal Opened?

After 10 years of construction involving over 1.5 million labourers (many of whom were conscripted Egyptian peasants), the Suez Canal officially opened on 17 November 1869. Designed by French engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps, the 164 km waterway eliminated the need for ships to navigate around Africa, reducing the London-to-Mumbai sea route by about 8,900 km. The canal was a joint French-Egyptian venture, but Britain purchased Egypt shares in 1875 and later took effective control. Egypt nationalised the canal in 1956, sparking the Suez Crisis. Today, about 12% of global trade passes through the canal.