Complex sentence: On 25 April 1859 the first blow of the pickaxe was given by Lesseps at Port Said, and on 17 November 1869 the canal was officially opened by the Khedive, Ismail Pasha.
Split into simpler sentences: On 25 April 1859 the first blow of the pickaxe was given by Lesseps at Port Said. Finally, on 17 November 1869 the canal was officially opened by the Khedive, Ismail Pasha.