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The book provides a detailed account of the International Meridian Conference, which took place in Washington, D.C. in 1884. The conference aimed to establish a universal prime meridian and a universal day for all purposes. The delegates from various countries discussed and debated the proposals, with the French delegation advocating for a neutral meridian and the United States delegation arguing for the adoption of the Greenwich meridian. After several days of discussion, the conference ultimately adopted the Greenwich meridian as the universal prime meridian, with 21 countries voting in favor and 1 against. The conference also decided to count longitude in two directions up to 180 degrees, with east longitude being positive and west longitude being negative. Additionally, the conference adopted a resolution proposing the adoption of a universal day, which shall not interfere with the use of local or other standard time where desirable. The book concludes with the final act of the conference, which states the votes on each resolution and expresses the hope that technical studies on the application of the decimal system will be resumed. The conference marked a significant milestone in the history of international cooperation and standardization, and its decisions have had a lasting impact on the way we measure time and longitude today.
The International Meridian Conference held its first session on October 1, 1884, in Washington, D.C. The conference aimed to fix a prime meridian and a universal day. The delegates from various countries were present, and the conference began with a welcome address by the Secretary of State, Frederick T. Frelinghuysen. The delegates then proceeded to elect a president, with Rear-Admiral C.R.P. Rodgers of the United States being unanimously chosen. The conference discussed the election of secretaries, the language of the proceedings, and the invitation of distinguished scientists to attend the meetings. The delegates also deliberated on the proposal to make the meetings public, but ultimately decided against it. The conference adjourned until the next day, with the understanding that the discussion would continue on the subject of a prime meridian. On the second day, the conference elected secretaries and discussed the proposal to invite scientists to participate in the discussions. The delegates also debated the resolution to adopt the meridian of Greenwich as the universal prime meridian. The French delegates proposed an alternative resolution, advocating for a neutral meridian. The conference continued to discuss the merits of different meridians, with some delegates arguing for the adoption of the Greenwich meridian due to its widespread use, while others proposed alternative meridians, such as the Paris meridian. The delegates from France emphasized the importance of a neutral meridian, arguing that it would be more acceptable to all nations. The conference adjourned several times, with the delegates continuing to discuss and debate the various proposals. On October 13, 1884, the conference reconvened, and the delegates continued to discuss the proposal for a neutral meridian. The French delegate, Mr. Janssen, presented a resolution postponing the decision on the choice of a meridian until the next meeting, allowing time for the delegates to consider the arguments presented. The conference adjourned, subject to the call of the president, with the understanding that the discussion would continue at the next meeting.
The conference continues with discussions on the adoption of a universal prime meridian. The French delegation proposes the adoption of a neutral meridian, which would be chosen based on geographical considerations and would not be identified with any particular nation. The United States delegation argues that the adoption of the Greenwich meridian would be more practical and convenient, as it is already widely used and would minimize disruptions to existing charts and maps. The conference also discusses the role of astronomy in determining longitude and the need for a fixed observatory to serve as a reference point. The French delegation emphasizes the importance of a neutral meridian in avoiding national rivalries and promoting international cooperation. The conference decides to postpone the decision on the choice of a prime meridian until the next meeting, allowing time for further discussion and consideration of the proposals.
The conference continues with discussions on the adoption of a universal prime meridian. The French delegation proposes the adoption of a neutral meridian, which would be chosen based on geographical considerations and would not be identified with any particular nation. The United States delegation argues that the adoption of the Greenwich meridian would be more practical and convenient, as it is already widely used and would minimize disruptions to existing charts and maps. The conference also discusses the role of astronomy in determining longitude and the need for a fixed observatory to serve as a reference point. The French delegation emphasizes the importance of a neutral meridian in avoiding national rivalries and promoting international cooperation. The conference decides to postpone the decision on the choice of a prime meridian until the next meeting, allowing time for further discussion and consideration of the proposals.
The conference continues with discussions on the adoption of a universal prime meridian. The French delegation proposes the adoption of a neutral meridian, which would be chosen based on geographical considerations and would not be identified with any particular nation. The United States delegation argues that the adoption of the Greenwich meridian would be more practical and convenient, as it is already widely used and would minimize disruptions to existing charts and maps. The conference also discusses the role of astronomy in determining longitude and the need for a fixed observatory to serve as a reference point. The French delegation emphasizes the importance of a neutral meridian in avoiding national rivalries and promoting international cooperation. The conference decides to postpone the decision on the choice of a prime meridian until the next meeting, allowing time for further discussion and consideration of the proposals.
The conference discusses the adoption of a universal prime meridian, with the French delegation proposing a neutral meridian and the United States delegation arguing for the adoption of the Greenwich meridian. The conference decides to postpone the decision on the choice of a prime meridian until the next meeting. Meanwhile, a committee is appointed to consider communications related to the business of the conference. The conference also discusses the role of astronomy in determining longitude and the need for a fixed observatory to serve as a reference point. The French delegation emphasizes the importance of a neutral meridian in avoiding national rivalries and promoting international cooperation. The conference ultimately adopts the Greenwich meridian as the universal prime meridian, with 21 countries voting in favor and 1 against. The conference also discusses the counting of longitude, with some delegates proposing to count it in one direction only, while others argue for counting it in both directions. The conference decides to count longitude in two directions up to 180 degrees, with east longitude being positive and west longitude being negative.
The conference continues with discussions on the adoption of a universal day for all purposes. The French delegation proposes the adoption of a universal day, and the United States delegation argues that the adoption of the Greenwich meridian would be more practical and convenient. The conference also discusses the role of astronomy in determining longitude and the need for a fixed observatory to serve as a reference point. The French delegation emphasizes the importance of a universal day in avoiding national rivalries and promoting international cooperation. The conference decides to postpone the decision on the choice of a prime meridian until the next meeting, allowing time for further discussion and consideration of the proposals. The delegates from various countries present their views and opinions on the matter, with some arguing for the adoption of the Greenwich meridian and others proposing alternative meridians. The conference ultimately adopts the Greenwich meridian as the universal prime meridian, with 21 countries voting in favor and 1 against. The conference also discusses the counting of longitude, with some delegates proposing to count it in one direction only, while others argue for counting it in both directions. The conference decides to count longitude in two directions up to 180 degrees, with east longitude being positive and west longitude being negative.
The chapter discusses the continuation of the International Meridian Conference, where delegates from various countries gather to discuss the adoption of a universal prime meridian and a universal day for all purposes. The conference votes on several resolutions, including the adoption of the Greenwich meridian as the universal prime meridian and the counting of longitude in two directions up to 180 degrees. The delegates also discuss the role of astronomy in determining longitude and the need for a fixed observatory to serve as a reference point. Additionally, the conference considers the proposal to adopt a universal day for all purposes, which shall not interfere with the use of local or other standard time where desirable. The delegates ultimately adopt the Greenwich meridian as the universal prime meridian and decide to count longitude in two directions up to 180 degrees. The conference also adopts a resolution expressing the hope that the studies designed to regulate and extend the application of the decimal system to the division of angular space and of time shall be resumed. The final act of the conference is formally recorded, stating the votes on each resolution that was adopted. The conference concludes with a vote of thanks to the secretaries for their able manner in discharging their duties and a declaration of adjournment sine die.
The International Meridian Conference continues with discussions on the adoption of a universal day for all purposes. The French delegation proposes an amendment to the resolution, which is met with opposition from the United States and Great Britain. The conference ultimately adopts a resolution proposing the adoption of a universal day, which shall not interfere with the use of local or other standard time where desirable. The delegates also discuss the counting of longitude and the possibility of adopting a decimal system for dividing angular space and time. The conference expresses its hope that technical studies on the application of the decimal system will be resumed, and the delegates vote on various resolutions, including the adoption of the Greenwich meridian as the universal prime meridian. The conference concludes with the adoption of a final act, which states the votes on each resolution and expresses the hope that the studies on the decimal system will be resumed. The delegates also express their gratitude to the Government of the United States for hosting the conference and to the President for his able and impartial manner of presiding over the deliberations.