National Geographica

Recently I came into possession of around 200 copies of the National Geographic Magazine, ranging from 1972 to 1990, and have spent the past 2 weeks reading through them all.  I have to say that the National Geographic Society has proven itself to be one of the most selfless and educating institutions the world has ever seen, and all Americans should be proud of such a fact, in an age when Americans as a body are becoming more and more disliked for some reason for another.  Objective reporting in a clear, readable style, has brought vast reams of knowledge into the average home for the past 116 years.  Without the National Geographic Society we would not know about Macchu Picchu in the Adean Mountains, Frank L. Beebe wouldn't have made his amazing dive in the Pacific, The Titanic wouldn't have been discovered, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge  would remain unexplored and scores of other amazing achievements.  Thankyou National Geographic Society!  I thoroughly recommend everyone to buy at least one of these once a year, just to broaden your mind in a different way.
Sometimes, though, it is remarkable looking at a copy of the National Geographic, and in it you can see time stand still.  For example, reading about the Shah of Iran and his friendliness towards the United States in a copy from 1976.  The Shah is now dead, and Iran has been under something of a divergent government since the late 70s.  A copy from 1977 shows an interview with Premier B.J. Vorster of South Africa discussing his plan of making South Africa a totally white society by putting all blacks in "Independent Homelands".  A year later Vorster would be replaced by the hardline Botha and in 17 years South Africa would see the end of minority rule.  In 1988, one can still see articles about the might and economic strengh of the U.S.S.R., yet a year later down came the Berlin Wall.
History is a matter of circumstance, and the examples taken from the annals of the National Geographic show that change is never far off, however unexpected it may seem.  What we see today may be gone tomorrow, so all I can say is never take anything for granted, otherwise you might just lose it...