Changes

[[Image:Panama Canal Locks.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Miraflores locks]]

[[Image:Panama Canal Locks.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Miraflores locks]]

Originally the French attempted to build a canal through the isthmus, under the leadership of [[Ferdinand de Lesseps]], the visonary who built the [[Suez Canal]]. He was the people's hero; the epitemy of a Frenchman.   

Originally the French attempted to build a canal through the isthmus, under the leadership of [[Ferdinand de Lesseps]], the visonary who built the [[Suez Canal]]. He was the people's hero; the epitemy of a Frenchman. They began digging on January 20, 1882, with much champange and dynamite. With de Lesseps to guide them, the French were cocky, thinking that such a canal expert could not fail them. During the convention which decided whether they would build the canal, any prophet predicting high costs and death tolls was not heeded. The workers were confident the job would be done  

But this ended their attempt after 22,000 of them died, mostly due to yellow fever. Some 5,609 Americans died in the subsequent successful attempt to build the canal, the lower number reflecting medical advances of the time.   

But this ended their attempt after 22,000 of them died, mostly due to yellow fever. Some 5,609 Americans died in the subsequent successful attempt to build the canal, the lower number reflecting medical advances of the time.