This Is What Lebanon Looked Like 80-90 Years Ago

During the era of 1930s-1940s, Lebanon became suddenly more politically active. It started counting the number of people of every religion in 1932 with the aim of creating the power-sharing confessionalism system. The agreement would come to be signed nine years later, in 1943.

Beirut 1934 - oldbeirutlebanon

Lebanon was a land of foreign conflicts during those years, with the Allies troops on its ground, and many historical events, including Lebanon finally electing its first president, Bechara El-Khouri.

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That was followed by the government and the people revolting against the French mandate, and large demonstrations filling the streets of Beirut.

All which ultimately led to Lebanon's Independence in 1943.

Soon after, Lebanon became a founding member of the United Nations , (UN San Francisco Conference of 1945), taking its rightful role among the independent nations and getting involved in regional and international affairs.

In fact, 19 AUB graduates helped established the United Nations .

We think of those times as events studied in our schools, some monuments in the capital, some faces on stamps, names of some streets in Beirut, and some national celebrations.

But, what Lebanon looked like during that era of 1930s-1940s?

Let's take a look a closer look.

Lebanon's first Miss Beauty, 1930

Leila Zoghbi Miss Lebanon 1930

Aley in 1932

oldbeirutlebanon

Zahle 1930s

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Aley, Al-Safa Spring, 1930s

Library of Congress - Matson Collection

Hopital Hotel Dieu, Beirut, 1930

The Lebanese Heritage

Street Coffee Seller, Beirut 1930s

LebRetro

Lebanese Jewish Wedding, Magen Avraham synagogue, Beirut, 1936

Beit Hatfutsot / Edouard Mizrahi

Wedding of Maurice Rafoul Dana and Lucie nee Chana

Jounieh, 1937

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Shisha at Beirut 'Sur Mer' in the 1930s