jan 1, 1904 - 1904 - Under Theodore Roosevelt, as part of his policy of expanding the American presence in Latin America, continued construction on the Panama Canal after receiving the rights for construction from France. In exchange, the US would receive the land around the canal. That piece of land would remain American for a significant amount of time, allowing the US to gain control over cross-oceanic trade and allowing the US to exert influence over Panama.
Added to timeline:
Date:
jan 1, 1904
Now
~ 121 years ago