The construction of the Panama Canal was completed in 1914. This monumental engineering project aimed to create a navigable waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly reducing maritime travel times for trade and military purposes. Initially started by the French in the 1880s, the project faced numerous challenges, including disease and financial difficulties. The United States took over the construction in 1904 and successfully completed it after overcoming obstacles related to engineering and the challenging geography of the Isthmus of Panama. The canal became a key maritime route, transforming global trade dynamics.