Dutch newspaper tradition
For the Geo Quiz think back to the 1700′s. That was the century of the American and French revolutions. People could read all about them in the newspapers of Europe at the time. One of the more important ones was published in a Dutch city that we want you to name�
Confidential information has been leaked to the press since� well� probably since the press was invented. We’re not going to reach that far back in our Geo Quiz.
Think back to the 1700′s. That was the century of the American and French revolutions. People could read all about them in the newspapers of Europe at the time. One of the more important ones was published in a Dutch city that we want you to name.
The city is still there, about 25 miles from Amsterdam. It’s located near the Old Rhine river and is crisscrossed by canals and quays. Back in 18th century, the local newspaper boasted having news from an �extraordinary variety of locations.�
It was so often read by diplomats and rulers across Europe, that governments sometimes leaked secret information to the paper to embarrass their rivals. This was long before WikiLeaks, mind you.
So, can you name the Dutch city where this important newspaper was published?
Geo Answer:
The answer is Leiden, home to one of the most important and widely read newspapers of the 18th century, the Gazette of Leiden. Anchor Lisa Mullins talks with author Jeremy Black about the history of disclosing state secrets.
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