Room 613 Student Blogs - 2005/2006

You may know who Mustafa Kemal is because of many reasons. For one he was the President of Turkey. About one year ago in 1938 Kemel sadly died. Everyone will remember Kemel but they all have their own opinion on his rules that will live on. Some people did not like some of his rules. Like no more wearing fezzes. He wanted everyone to wear “Western” clothing. If you were wondering, a fezz is a cylinder shape hat with a tassel on the top. They wore this while praying and bowing. They wore these particular hats becasue if they had a brim, the brin would hit the floor when they bowed down and knock the hat off. Kemel also passed a ban where women no longer were allowed to wear veils. Of course the men didn’t worry about that and neither do I. Personally I do not care for veils because even though they covered your face it was see through so the other people could see your face anyhow. One of the things that I appreciate is that he gave women rights like men to make them more equal. We will always remember him in many ways.

Your friend,

AlexC

The suez canal is west of the Sinai Peninsula. It is placed in Egypt between Port said on the Mediterranean Sea and Suez on the Red Sea. Also, the canal allows two-way north to south water transport between Europe and Asia without going around Africa. The canal makes up two parts, north and south of the Greak Bitter Lake and links the MediterraneanSea to the Red Sea. Last, because of were the suez canal is it is sometimes known as the cross roads of Europe.

On April 25, 1859 the canals construction began. About 25 thousand ships pass through the canal each year. Approxamitly 14% of world shipping goes through the canal. The passage takes between 11 and 16 hours. Many tours by tourists go through the canal.

Did you know the suez canal was man made? Here’s some historic facts on it. Also, did you know that before the opening, some transport was conducted by offloading ships and carrying the cargo overland between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea? The canal opened to traffic on November 17, 1869. Also, in 1888 the convention of constantinople declared that the canal is a neutral zone under protection of the british, after the british troops moved in to protect the suez canal in 1882. In 1951, Egypt regected the treaty, and by 1954 the United Kingdom agreed to pull out. The result of the damage and sunken ships, the suez canal was closed until April 1957. Then it had been cleared by UN assistance. In 1967 after the Six Day War, the canal was closed until June 5, 1973. Then it was later opened in 1975.

By, Celeste, Kim, and Alex