Construction and opening of the Suez Canal (1859–1869)

1. Saʿid Pasha grants first canal concession

   Nov 30, 1854Labels: Sa id, Ferdinand de, Suez Canal

   • Suez Authority
   • Foreign Affairs

2. Second concession expands terms and labor obligations

   Jan 5, 1856Labels: Second Concession, Egyptian Labor

   • Suez Authority
   • Napoleon org

3. International commission issues technical canal plan

   Dec 1, 1856Labels: International Commission, Port Said

   • Commission
   • HISTORY

4. Suez Canal Company formally established

   Dec 15, 1858Labels: Suez Canal, Ferdinand de

   • Napoleon org
   • Suez Canal

5. Construction begins at future Port Said

   Apr 25, 1859Labels: Port Said, Ceremonial Groundbreaking

   • Port Said
   • Suez Authority

6. Government order to halt work is ignored

   Jun 9, 1859Labels: Egyptian Authorities, De Lesseps

   • Napoleon org

7. Freshwater canal work begins to supply sites

   Jan 1, 1861Labels: Sweet Water, Ismailia Canal

   • Ismailia Canal

8. Water reaches Lake Timsah, enabling expansion

   Nov 18, 1862Labels: Lake Timsah, Freshwater Reach

   • Suez Authority
   • Ismailia Canal

9. Leadership change raises disputes over labor and land

   Jan 18, 1863Labels: Ismail Pasha, Labor Disputes

   • Napoleon org
   • Napoleon org

10. Napoleon III arbitration ends corvée canal labor

    Jul 6, 1864Labels: Napoleon III, Corv e

    • Napoleon org
    • Suez Company

11. Ottoman firman ratifies updated canal settlement

    Mar 19, 1866Labels: Ottoman Firman, Sultan Abd

    • Napoleon org

12. Mediterranean and Red Sea waters meet

    Aug 18, 1869Labels: Sea Connection, Bitter Lakes

    • Suez Authority
    • Napoleon org

13. Suez Canal officially inaugurated and opened

    Nov 17, 1869Labels: Inauguration Ceremony, L Aigle

    • Suez Canal
    • Suez Authority
    • Napoleon org