Milestone·Modern
Suez Canal Opens
- Date
- 17 November 1869 CE1286 AH157 years ago
- Place
- Suez, Egypt
- People
- Ferdinand de Lesseps, Khedive Ismail
The Suez Canal opened on 17 November 1869 CE, linking the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea across Egypt. Ferdinand de Lesseps led the French company that built it, using forced Egyptian labor. Egypt's ruler, Khedive Ismail, invested heavily in the project. Britain bought the Khedive's shares in the canal in 1875.
Why it matters
The canal shortened the sea route between Europe and Asia and became a key strategic asset, especially for Britain.