When did construction of the Suez Canal finish?

The construction of the Suez Canal was completed in 1869. The canal project was led by Ferdinand de Lesseps, a French diplomat and engineer, who began the ambitious endeavor in 1859. The construction involved digging a 120-mile-long artificial waterway connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea in Egypt, creating a strategic shortcut between Europe and Asia. The project faced numerous challenges, including harsh conditions, technical difficulties, and financial setbacks. However, through the use of innovative engineering techniques and an extensive labor force, the construction was finally finished after ten years of strenuous efforts, officially opening on November 17, 1869. The completion of the Suez Canal marked a significant milestone in global maritime history, revolutionizing international trade and navigation by providing a direct shipping route between the East and the West.