considered one of the wonders of the modern world, the panama canal opened for business 100 years ago this Friday, linking to the Atlantic and pacific oceans and providing a new route for intentional trade and military transport. but thousands of workers died during the construction, and its history has seen no shortage of controversy, including a contentious transference of authority from the US to Panama in the 1970s. work recently began on a substantial expansion effort that will allow the canal to accommodate modern cargo needs.