The Convention of Constantinople is a treaty concerning the use of the Suez Canal in Egypt. It was signed on 29 October 1888 by the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, the Russian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. The Khedivate of Egypt, through whose territory the Canal ran, and to whom all shares in the Suez Canal Company were due to revert when the company's 99 year lease to manage the Canal expired, was not invited to participate in the negotiations, and did not sign the treaty.
The signatories comprised all the great European powers of the era, and the treaty was interpreted as a guaranteed right of passage of all ships through the Suez Canal during war and peace. During the 74 years of the United Kingdom's military presence in Egypt, from 1882 to 1956, the British government was in effective control of the Canal. In 1956, the Egyptian government nationalised the Suez Canal Company. Future wars between Egypt and the State of Israel would see the Canal blocked and unusable for extended periods of time.
1888Oct, 29
The Convention of Constantinople is signed, guaranteeing free maritime passage through the Suez Canal during war and peace.
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Events on 1888
- 16May
Electric power transmission
Nikola Tesla delivers a lecture describing the equipment which will allow efficient generation and use of alternating currents to transmit electric power over long distances. - 31Aug
Jack the Ripper
Mary Ann Nichols is murdered. She is the first of Jack the Ripper's confirmed victims. - 4Sep
Kodak
George Eastman registers the trademark Kodak and receives a patent for his camera that uses roll film. - 8Sep
Annie Chapman
In London, the body of Jack the Ripper's second murder victim, Annie Chapman, is found. - 30Sep
Elizabeth Stride
Jack the Ripper kills his third and fourth victims, Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes.