Suez Canal Timeline of Events

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Suez Canal

The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation around Africa...

Timeline of Events

1854

11.15.1854

In Egypt, the Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, is given the necessary royal concession.

1859

4.25.1859

British and French engineers break ground for the Suez Canal.

1867

2.17.1867

The first ship passes through the Suez Canal.

1869

11.17.1869

In Egypt, the Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea, is inaugurated.

1888

3.2.1888

The Convention of Constantinople is signed, guaranteeing free maritime passage through the Suez Canal during war and peace.

1956

7.26.1956

Following the World Bank's refusal to fund building the Aswan High Dam, Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal sparking international condemnation.

10.29.1956

Suez Crisis begins: Israeli forces invade the Sinai Peninsula and push Egyptian forces back toward the Suez Canal.

10.31.1956

Suez Crisis: The United Kingdom and France begin bombing Egypt to force the reopening of the Suez Canal.

1957

3.8.1957

Egypt re-opens the Suez Canal after the Suez Crisis.

4.9.1957

The Suez Canal in Egypt is cleared and opens to shipping.

4.10.1957

The Suez Canal is reopened for all shipping after being closed for three months.

4.24.1957

Suez Crisis: The Suez Canal is reopened following the introduction of UNEF peacekeepers to the region.

1973

10.8.1973

Yom Kippur War: Gabi Amir's armored brigade attacks Egyptian occupied positions on the Israeli side of the Suez Canal, in hope of driving them away. The attack fails, and over 150 Israeli tanks are destroyed.

1974

2.21.1974

The last Israeli soldiers leave the west bank of the Suez Canal pursuant to a truce with Egypt.

3.5.1974

Yom Kippur War: Israeli forces withdraw from the west bank of the Suez Canal.

1975

6.5.1975

The Suez Canal opens for the first time since the Six-Day War.

1986

4.28.1986

The United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Enterprise becomes the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal, navigating from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea to relieve the USS Coral Sea.

2006

1.12.2006

The French warship Clemenceau reaches Egypt and is barred access to the Suez Canal. Greenpeace activists board the ship.