100 Years Ago: October 1915

[George Thomas Wilson]

This article is the tenth in a series of brief reviews of 100 year old National Geographics.

The first article in this issue is on "modern" Greece which came into existence in 1830 following the War of Independence with the Turks.  The article begins by discussing the conflict between the language of "Proper Greek" and the day to day language of the people.  Language was used to promote nationalism known as the "Great Idea".

A good part of the article is devoted to the capital, Athens, from "When it passed from Turkish control and was designated as the capital of the new free kingdom of Greece, it was a mere handful of wretched huts clustered about the Acropolis" to its growth into the modern city it is "today".

It then goes on to discuss the preservation of ancient buildings and artifacts; and the countries agriculture, culture, and religion.

The next article is on Armenia and its people.  Armenia, not being a country at the time but a region overlapping the countries of Turkey, Russia, and Persia.  A map on page 359 shows this region.  While the article does delve into the culture and religion of this people, it also touches on the ongoing genocide of the Armenian people by the Turks and there ally, the Kurds.

In keeping with the World War I theme which has been evident throughout the 1915 issues, the last article deals with the country of "Roumania" (Romania).  The article starts in ancient times and continues to the "present".  The importance of agriculture for the economy is stressed, and the climate and culture are touched on.  The article ends with a description of the capital, Bucharest, and the question of which side the country will side in the Great War.

Tom Wilson

[George Thomas Wilson]

Here are three photographs from this issue courtesy of Philip Riviere.