29-31 Aug 1897 1st #Zionist Congress in Basel
Herzl meticulously choreographed the event, which, drawing on French models, created institutions of statehood
1/5
The 1st #Zionist Congress Program called for establishing a "home in #Palestine for the #Jewish people, secured under public law," thus leaving open the question of statehood but affirming that the need for international legitimacy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basel_Program
2/5
US souvenir album of 1st #Zionist Congress showing 162 delegates (200-250 took part, including 17 women—though they became voting members only in 1898), & leaders--but also Washington and Columbus. Trying to suggest an equivalence of nation-building—or just patriotic filler?
3/5
The American souvenir album of the 1st #Zionist Congress (29-31 August 1897), created as a Rosh Hashanah greeting, depicted not only leaders of the movement and delegates, but also historical events & contemporary scenes of #Jewish life in #Palestine (e.g. schools, landmarks)
4/5
#Zionist Congresses (annual; biennial 1903-48 except wartime) issued official #postcards. Host countries offered special postmarks
https://www.jewishpress.com/sections/features/features-on-jewish-world/official-postcards-of-the-first-zionist-congresses/2022/06/08/
#philately
5/5