What date was the panama canal built, who had built the panama canal (or gave the orders to build the panama canal), and why was the panama canal built?

France began the work on the canal in 1881 but stopped due to engineering problems and large death rate. The United states took over the project in 1904 and opened it Aug 15th, 1914. Leaders and businessman wanted to ship goods quickly and cheaply between the Atlantic and pacific coast.