The Panama Canal is one of engineering's greatest achievements. Since its official opening in 1914, it has made possible the movement of both goods and people between places that were, prior to its construction, either too costly or too dangerous to reach. The construction of the canal took over two decades and its cost was measured in dollars and in lives.

The project was deemed by many, including the French and American governments that contributed to its construction, vital to the evolution of world trade. The first time a United States President ever left native soil while in office was to oversee the completion of the canal. With the completion of the planned expansion in 2014, the Panama Canal will likely set in motion a new chapter in the evolution of goods movement, one with implications for not only Panama but the rest of the trading world as well, including the west coast of North America.

The following timelines identify the major milestones that track the development of the Panama Canal and the U.S. west coast ports. The timelines help to show how these ports and the Panama Canal have each adapted to the evolving international trade system and how their actions at times correlate.

Downloadable Panama Canal Timeline

Downloadable U.S. West Coat Ports Timeline

Works Cited