Suez Canal: Timeline

1859   Ground is broken for the Suez Canal

1867   The first ship passes through the Suez Canal

1869   In Egypt Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

, the Suez Canal, linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Red Sea Red Sea

The Red Sea is an inlet of the Indian Ocean [i] between Africa [i] and Asia [i]. ... 

, is inaugurated in an elaborate ceremony.

1882   British troops occupy Alexandria Alexandria

Alexandria , , is the second-largest city in Egypt [i], and its largest seaport. ... 

 and Suez Canal

1887   Suez Canal is declared neutral

1950   Egypt Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

 demands that Britain remove all its troops in Suez Canal

1956   Egypt Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

ian leader Gamal Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal sparking international condemnation.

1956   Suez Crisis Suez Crisis

The Suez Crisis was a war [i] fought on Egyptian territory in 1956. ... 

 begins: Israel Israel

Israel , officially the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia [i] on the so ... 

 invades the Sinai Peninsula Sinai Peninsula

The Sinai Peninsula or Sinai is a triangle-shaped peninsula [i] lying between the Mediterranean Sea [i] ... 

 and push Egypt Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

ian forces back toward the Suez Canal.

1956   Suez Crisis Suez Crisis

The Suez Crisis was a war [i] fought on Egyptian territory in 1956. ... 

: The United Kingdom United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 and France France

France, officially the French Republic, is a country [i] whose metropolitan territory [i] ... 

 begin bombing Egypt Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

 to force the reopening of the Suez Canal.

1956   British and French troops leave Suez Canal region

1957   Egypt Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

 re-opens the Suez Canal.

1957   Egypt Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

 reopens Suez Canal for all shipping.

1967   Egypt Egypt

[i] country in [[North Africa]... 

ian surface-to-surface missile sinks the Israel Israel

Israel , officially the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia [i] on the so ... 

i destroyer ''Eilat Eilat

Eilat , pop. 46,000, is Israel [i]'s southernmost city , in the Southern District of Israel [i]. ... 

'', killing 47 Israeli sailors. Israel retaliates by shelling Egyptian refineries along the Suez Canal.

1975   The Suez Canal opens for the first time since the Six-Day War Six-Day War

The Six-Day War , also known as the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Six Days' War, an-Naksah , ... 

.