The Suez Canal in Egypt was officially opened, providing a direct sea route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. This artificial waterway dramatically shortened the sea voyage between Europe and Asia, which was particularly beneficial for steam-powered ships, as they could now travel much more efficiently. The canal's opening had a profound impact on global trade and geopolitics.

The Suez Canal is a central image in 19th-century literature, a symbol of human engineering and the power of steam to shrink the world. It appears in the works of poets and novelists who marveled at the speed of travel and the new connections it made possible. The canal's opening is a key moment in the story of globalization, a theme that has been explored in poetry from the Victorian era to the present.