Historical overview of Esperanto

With the publication of the pamphlet 'Lingvo Internacia' in 1887, Esperanto is born. L.L. Zamenhof (1859-1917) introduces, with this pamflet, his plan for a simple, international language, intended to bring people and nations together. The grammar is strictly systematic, 60 percent of the vocabulary is derived from Roman languages. Zamenhof made his design during his childhood years in Bailystok, a place troubled with conflicts between Polish, German, Russian and Jewish populations.

In 1905 the first world congress is held. Three years later Universala Esperanto-Asocio is founded

In 1954 the language is recognised as such by UNESCO.

In 1993 Esperanto is recognised by the PEN-club

It is unknown how many Esperantists there are worldwide, numbers vary from half a million people to three million people.