Lake Geneva the lake is "Lacus Lemannus", dating from Roman times; "Lemannus" comes from Ancient Greek "Limenos Limne" (Λιμένος Λίμνη) meaning "port's lake"; it became "Lacus Lausonius", although this name was also used for a town or district on the lake, "Lacus Losanetes", and then the "Lac de Lausanne" in the Middle Ages. Following the rise of Geneva it became "Lac de Genève" (translated into English as "Lake Geneva"). In the 18th century, "Lac Léman" was revived in French and is the customary name in that language. In contemporary English, the name "Lake Geneva" is predominant. A note on pronunciation: Lake Geneva
What Is a Nation? What Is a Nation? "What is a Nation?" ("Qu'est-ce qu'une nation?") is an 1882 lecture by French historian Ernest Renan (1823–1892), known for the statements that a nation is "a daily referendum", and that nations are based as much on what the people jointly forget, as what they remember. It is frequently quoted or anthologized in works of history or political science pertaining to nationalism and national identity. Renan wrote "What is a Nation" in order to symbolize the nationalism which was born in France as a result of the French Revolution of 1789. Renan begins his essay by noting