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.
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.
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
Aley in 1932
Zahle 1930s
Aley, Al-Safa Spring, 1930s
Hopital Hotel Dieu, Beirut, 1930
Street Coffee Seller, Beirut 1930s
Lebanese Jewish Wedding, Magen Avraham synagogue, Beirut, 1936
Wedding of Maurice Rafoul Dana and Lucie nee Chana
Jounieh, 1937
Shisha at Beirut ‘Sur Mer’ in the 1930s
Persian Crown Prince Mohammed Reza Pahlavi visiting Lebanon in 1938
This was before he became in 1941 the Shah of Iran, which he ruled until 1979 when overthrown by the Iranian Revolution. He is known as The Last Shah of Iran or simply The Shah.
Young Lebanese students at The Alliance School, Wadi Abou Jamil, Beirut 1932
Beirut Port, 1939
Mr. Oliver’s School, Ras El-Metn, 1940
Sabah, the Lebanese icon diva, rises to stardom, 1940
Saint George Hotel, Beirut, 1940
Corniche Beirut, 1940s
John Kennedy Street, Beirut 1940s
Australian Troops in Dhour El-Choueir, August 1941
At Hotel Bois de Boulogne, Australian Field Ambulance and Corps Rest Station, in August 1941, before they moved into using the hotel in winter as a 120-bed hospital.
Australian corps’ parade heading to Church in Aley, August 1941
A view of Jounieh coast, Sept 1941, during a mountain maneuver by Australian troops
Australian 25th battalion on maneuvers near the coastal town of Jounieh, by Capt. F. Hurley
Australian troops under attack, Khaldeh, July 1945
Photo captioned: Shellfire covering the advance of Australian troops towards wireless mast at Khaldeh.
Weigand Street, Beirut, 1945
Diversity in Beirut Souks in 1944
Maccabi Beirut tennis team, 1944
Skying in Al-Arz, Bsharre, 1946
Beb Idriss, Beirut, 1949
Al-Sanayeh Public Park, Beirut, 1943
Ehden in 1945
Charles Malek signing the UN Charter, June 26th, 1945
Charles Malik became Lebanon’s first Ambassador to the United States. He co-authored the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.
When Lebanon has functional trains! The bridge of Fidar, 1948
Dhour El-Choueir, Allies’ Soldiers 1945
Most probably Australians during their stay in Dhour El-Choueir.
