How did they build the Panama Canal? episode artwork

EPISODE · Dec 30, 2025 · 11 MIN

How did they build the Panama Canal?

from History for Kids / History's Not Boring: The Kids History Podcast · host SCL

Imagine trying to cut a path right through a giant mountain range to connect two huge oceans! That’s exactly what people dreamed of doing with the Panama Canal! For thousands of years, ships had to travel 8,000 extra miles all the way around South America. That’s exhausting! First, the French tried—but it was a disaster! Mosquitoes spread terrible diseases, and thousands of workers became sick. It seemed totally impossible!But then, the determined Americans took over. They figured out how to fight the deadly diseases and invented the biggest, most amazing machines ever. They chopped down mountains and built gigantic 'water elevators' called locks to lift enormous ships 85 feet high! Tune in to find out how this impossible dream became one of humanity's greatest, most incredible engineering tricks! Get ready to be totally amazed!

Imagine trying to cut a path right through a giant mountain range to connect two huge oceans! That’s exactly what people dreamed of doing with the Panama Canal! For thousands of years, ships had to travel 8,000 extra miles all the way around South America. That’s exhausting! First, the French tried—but it was a disaster! Mosquitoes spread terrible diseases, and thousands of workers became sick. It seemed totally impossible! But then, the determined Americans took over. They figured out how to...

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How did they build the Panama Canal?

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This episode is 11 minutes long.

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This episode was published on December 30, 2025.

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Imagine trying to cut a path right through a giant mountain range to connect two huge oceans! That’s exactly what people dreamed of doing with the Panama Canal! For thousands of years, ships had to travel 8,000 extra miles all the way around South...

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