On the 21st of January, the exhibition League of Nations (1920-1946): promises and legacies opened at the National Library of Portugal. On the 24th of April, recently declared by the United Nations as the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, this exhibition, which was organized by a team of IHC researchers, would be closed.

The crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic interfered with the programme of guided tours and other events associated with the exhibition, namely the launch of its catalogue, but thanks to the precious collaboration of the IHC’s Digital Humanities Lab, we have now launched a dedicated website with multimedia information, interactive maps, as well as a documentary produced in 1937 by the Information Department of the League of Nations.

A hundred years ago, the world was still dealing with the consequences of the war and the “Spanish flu” pandemic, a fact that stimulated unprecedented efforts for cooperation in the scientific, social, and humanitarian fields. Going through the history of the League of Nations, allows us to better understand the achievements – and the limits – of this pioneering experience, now that humanity is again faced with a challenge whose seriousness we are still trying to apprehend.

Visit the exhibition website and – if circumstances allow – be sure to visit the exhibition when the National Library of Portugal reopens to the public.