Word: crete
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Dates: during 1920-1929
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...origin of cretin is traced by some to the French chrétien, meaning "Christian," hence "innocent." The Latin Christianus, again, was probably a translation of the older cretin, from crete (craie), a. chalky fuller's earth found in Crete, used by the Romans for coloring the face, especially by actors. A common mark of cretinism is a sallow, yellow earthy complexion...
...Admiral Koundouriotis was intimately acquainted with ex-Premier Eleuthorios Venizelos both during and after the War. In exile he went with Venizelos to Crete to help organize a revolution to oust King Constantine and to bring Greece into the War on the side of the Allies. On two occasions he had acted as Regent of the country, a position which he had just exchanged for the Provisional Presidency...
...mother had lost her first two children. On the third day, now 60 years ago, a boy was born and a priest named Yarotheos (old god) on account of his miraculous powers baptized him, saying: "I baptize, thee Eleutherios (Liberty), for thou shalt deliver our long suffering Crete from the tyranny of the Turk...
Venizelos' father was a merchant and desired him to adopt a commercial career. He was sent to Athens to study law. Some years after, he headed a revolt in Crete against the Turks which was entirely successful. The Turks offered autonomy for Canea, but Venizelos refused, desiring union not of the town of Canea, but of all the island of Crete with Greece. His attitude caused a riot in which he was nearly stabbed. At night when he was asleep his house was set on fire, but he succeeded in escaping...
Soon after this, Venizelos' power was recognized and the Greek King left him in charge of the island. His labors were such that it is said he created an entire system of jurisprudence in 21 days. In 1905 he went to Athens as the first deputy from Crete and then commenced his great role in statesmanship...