By Suzi Blakley Mon, September 29, 2008, 12:01 am PDT

(Photo by Kolby) In 1888, 33 explorers and scientists gathered in Washington, D.C., with a mission to create "a society for the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge." The result of that meeting was the National Geographic Society, which celebrates its 120th anniversary this year. National Geographic is near and dear to my heart for a variety of reasons, but mostly for the realms of discovery it's provided for me since childhood. Not only was the Society's magazine the sole delight I could look forward to while visiting various doctors' offices, but its photography, cultural travel, and science articles have been a never-ending source of eye candy and brain manna. The periodical opened up the entire world for Western populations, long before mass media and the Internet were available. Today it has blossomed into dozens of publications and news channels across the planet -- including the glorious National Geographic Channel in HD. But, not to forget the original intent of this organization -- to explore and discover -- here are but a few fruits of the Society's myriad labors: Discovery of Canada's highest peak, Mount Logan Support of the first successful expedition to the North Pole Excavations of Machu Picchu NGS flags flew along with John Glenn on America's first orbital space flight, as well as to the moon on Apollo 11 And in what may have provided the inspiration for my own college aspirations, the National Geographic Society, paired with Louis and Mary Leakey, helped launch (and fund) the careers of Dian Fossey, Jane Goodall, and Birute Galdikas, So here's my salute to you, National Geographic, for bestowing upon me -- and the rest of the planet -- your sense of adventure, need for knowledge, and the drive to make our world feel that much smaller, and all of us more connected. Suggested Sites... National Geographic Society - official site of the "society for the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge." National Geographic Magazine - official subsite to connect with the popular publication. National Geographic Channel - see what's airing on the television channel. Wikipedia: National Geographic Society - an explanation and history of the group started by explorers and scientists.

Directory categories: National Geographic Society, Conservation, Photojournalism, Anthropology and Archeaology

Archived under: Adventure, Ancient History, Archaeology, Journalism, Magazines, National Geographic, Photography, Society and Culture, Travel

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