THE CENTENNIAL of the 1919 EGYPTIAN REVOLUTION

The Graduate Center, City University of New York, NY, Friday May 24th, 2019

Full day conference 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM

Organized by City University of New York (CUNY), Alliance for Egyptians in North America (AENA) and MEMEAC at CUNY

In March 1919 the Egyptian Revolution started, first through peaceful demonstrators in the streets of Cairo demanding independence from the British and an end to Egypt being a protectorate. These demonstrations persisted over the coming days and were met by the British military authorities with live fire.
Blood was spilled in the streets, but did not deter the demonstrators. On the contrary, the demonstrations expanded by other sectors of the population joining in, and geographically to other cities and towns in the country. Railroads were blocked, telephone and telegraph wires were cut, and transportation and commerce were disrupted.
They continued till August, then resumed in October and November of that year. However, political developments lasted through April 1921.
The 1919 Egyptian Revolution is considered an important phase of modern Egyptian history and formed the foundation for subsequent developments.
The declaration by President Woodrow Wilson regarding nations’ right to self determination was one of the catalysts laying the popular groundwork for the Egyptian 1919 Revolution.

ADOPTED FROM THE INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST EDITION OF “1919 REVOLUTION” BY ABDELRAHMAN ELRAFEI