The Panama Canal, one of the largest engineering and construction projects in history, celebrated its 100th birthday on Friday.

Dubbed one of the "Seven Wonders of the Modern World" by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in order to expedite international trade. Upwards of 13,000 vessels a year make the 48-mile journey between the oceans, moving over 200 million tons of cargo.

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The French were the first to attempt to construct a canal across the Isthmus of Panama in 1881, but their work was halted by disease and engineering difficulties. The United States took up the mantle in 1904, completing the canal a decade later. An expansion, scheduled for completion by 2015, is currently underway to enlarge the canal's capacity. This will allow larger ships than the current maximum size class, the Panamax, to pass through its locks.

Here's to another 100 years, you big beautiful canal. May your long flowing locks operate far into the future.