1. Home
  2. Slideshows
  3. The 100th anniversary of the Great Revolt: How Jordan marked its day in the sun

The 100th anniversary of the Great Revolt: How Jordan marked its day in the sun

Published June 6th, 2016 - 08:19 GMT

Tanks, fighter jets, bouncy castles, and festival food: this is the celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the Great Arab Revolt, Jordan style. Thousands flocked to Amman's King Hussein Park for a day of festivities and patriotism. This particular anniversary is very much alive in Jordan: 100 years ago the Hashemites - now the royal family of Jordan, then the rulers of Hijaz in present-day Saudi Arabia - began a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. Assisted by the British and French, the rebellion eventually spread all the way up to Aleppo, ending Ottoman rule in the Arab world, leading up to the infamous Sykes-Picot agreement. These events paved the way for everything from Arab nationalism to some of the current conflicts in the region today. But Jordanians know how to throw a party - so take a visual tour and see how the Kingdom celebrated. Photos by Lindsey Leger

View as a slider
View as a list
Jordan marked the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt with a massive festival in Amman's King Hussein Park. It had the same patriotic, family-fun feeling of independence day celebrations elsewhere (or a day at the county fair), but this one was replete with tanks and soldiers ready to stand in for a selfie.

Jordan marked the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt with a massive festival in Amman's King Hussein Park. It had the same patriotic, family-fun feeling of independence day celebrations elsewhere (or a day at the county fair), but this one was replete with tanks and soldiers ready to stand in for a selfie.

A Jordanian soldier helps a boy get on top of a tank for a photo, while another woman poses with soldiers. Large official and impromptu celebrations were held in Amman to mark the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.

A Jordanian soldier helps a boy get on top of a tank for a photo, while another woman poses with soldiers. Large official and impromptu celebrations were held in Amman to mark the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.

Ever wanted to be a bedouin soldier holding a rifle? These face cut-outs were a hit, with kids and adults posing for pictures as soldiers in uniform, or as a family in traditional clothing.

Ever wanted to be a bedouin soldier holding a rifle? These face cut-outs were a hit, with kids and adults posing for pictures as soldiers in uniform, or as a family in traditional clothing.

Just outside the gates to King Hussein Park, large crowds gathered in the afternoon to watch the Royal Jordanian Air Force fly overhead in an airshow, while the occasional parade marched by.

Just outside the gates to King Hussein Park, large crowds gathered in the afternoon to watch the Royal Jordanian Air Force fly overhead in an airshow, while the occasional parade marched by.

A parade chanting slogans in support of King Abdullah II passes through the crowd outside King Hussein Park in Amman, Jordan, as people gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.

A parade chanting slogans in support of King Abdullah II passes through the crowd outside King Hussein Park in Amman, Jordan, as people gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.

A Royal Jordanian commercial plane flies overhead, flanked by fighter jets from Jordan's air force as part of celebrations marking the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt in Amman.

A Royal Jordanian commercial plane flies overhead, flanked by fighter jets from Jordan's air force as part of celebrations marking the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt in Amman.

Several concerts were also held, adding to the festivities. During an Autostrad concert - one of Jordan's homegrown rock bands - an impromptu dance circle broke out in the crowds.

Several concerts were also held, adding to the festivities. During an Autostrad concert - one of Jordan's homegrown rock bands - an impromptu dance circle broke out in the crowds.

A young Jordanian girl, wearing a dress made out of a traditional kuffiyeh, tries on her pink sunglasses as she and her parents head to the festival.

A young Jordanian girl, wearing a dress made out of a traditional kuffiyeh, tries on her pink sunglasses as she and her parents head to the festival.

Sadly, only kids were allowed to play in the huge play area complete with bouncy castles, human foosball, and bubble soccer.

Sadly, only kids were allowed to play in the huge play area complete with bouncy castles, human foosball, and bubble soccer.

A Jordanian man wearing an Ottoman-style vest and fez, pours iced hibiscus juice for thirsty festival-goers at King Hussein Park on the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.

A Jordanian man wearing an Ottoman-style vest and fez, pours iced hibiscus juice for thirsty festival-goers at King Hussein Park on the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.

Watch out! Jordan's tiniest (and most fashionable) police officers were also on patrol, wearing army and police uniforms, Jordanian flag headbands, and kuffiyehs.

Watch out! Jordan's tiniest (and most fashionable) police officers were also on patrol, wearing army and police uniforms, Jordanian flag headbands, and kuffiyehs.

A brother and sister wave flags and watch as planes from the Royal Jordanian Air Force fly overhead in the air show.

A brother and sister wave flags and watch as planes from the Royal Jordanian Air Force fly overhead in the air show.

Jordan marked the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt with a massive festival in Amman's King Hussein Park. It had the same patriotic, family-fun feeling of independence day celebrations elsewhere (or a day at the county fair), but this one was replete with tanks and soldiers ready to stand in for a selfie.
A Jordanian soldier helps a boy get on top of a tank for a photo, while another woman poses with soldiers. Large official and impromptu celebrations were held in Amman to mark the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.
Ever wanted to be a bedouin soldier holding a rifle? These face cut-outs were a hit, with kids and adults posing for pictures as soldiers in uniform, or as a family in traditional clothing.
Just outside the gates to King Hussein Park, large crowds gathered in the afternoon to watch the Royal Jordanian Air Force fly overhead in an airshow, while the occasional parade marched by.
A parade chanting slogans in support of King Abdullah II passes through the crowd outside King Hussein Park in Amman, Jordan, as people gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.
A Royal Jordanian commercial plane flies overhead, flanked by fighter jets from Jordan's air force as part of celebrations marking the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt in Amman.
Several concerts were also held, adding to the festivities. During an Autostrad concert - one of Jordan's homegrown rock bands - an impromptu dance circle broke out in the crowds.
A young Jordanian girl, wearing a dress made out of a traditional kuffiyeh, tries on her pink sunglasses as she and her parents head to the festival.
Sadly, only kids were allowed to play in the huge play area complete with bouncy castles, human foosball, and bubble soccer.
A Jordanian man wearing an Ottoman-style vest and fez, pours iced hibiscus juice for thirsty festival-goers at King Hussein Park on the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.
Watch out! Jordan's tiniest (and most fashionable) police officers were also on patrol, wearing army and police uniforms, Jordanian flag headbands, and kuffiyehs.
A brother and sister wave flags and watch as planes from the Royal Jordanian Air Force fly overhead in the air show.
Jordan marked the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt with a massive festival in Amman's King Hussein Park. It had the same patriotic, family-fun feeling of independence day celebrations elsewhere (or a day at the county fair), but this one was replete with tanks and soldiers ready to stand in for a selfie.
Jordan marked the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt with a massive festival in Amman's King Hussein Park. It had the same patriotic, family-fun feeling of independence day celebrations elsewhere (or a day at the county fair), but this one was replete with tanks and soldiers ready to stand in for a selfie.
A Jordanian soldier helps a boy get on top of a tank for a photo, while another woman poses with soldiers. Large official and impromptu celebrations were held in Amman to mark the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.
A Jordanian soldier helps a boy get on top of a tank for a photo, while another woman poses with soldiers. Large official and impromptu celebrations were held in Amman to mark the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.
Ever wanted to be a bedouin soldier holding a rifle? These face cut-outs were a hit, with kids and adults posing for pictures as soldiers in uniform, or as a family in traditional clothing.
Ever wanted to be a bedouin soldier holding a rifle? These face cut-outs were a hit, with kids and adults posing for pictures as soldiers in uniform, or as a family in traditional clothing.
Just outside the gates to King Hussein Park, large crowds gathered in the afternoon to watch the Royal Jordanian Air Force fly overhead in an airshow, while the occasional parade marched by.
Just outside the gates to King Hussein Park, large crowds gathered in the afternoon to watch the Royal Jordanian Air Force fly overhead in an airshow, while the occasional parade marched by.
A parade chanting slogans in support of King Abdullah II passes through the crowd outside King Hussein Park in Amman, Jordan, as people gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.
A parade chanting slogans in support of King Abdullah II passes through the crowd outside King Hussein Park in Amman, Jordan, as people gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.
A Royal Jordanian commercial plane flies overhead, flanked by fighter jets from Jordan's air force as part of celebrations marking the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt in Amman.
A Royal Jordanian commercial plane flies overhead, flanked by fighter jets from Jordan's air force as part of celebrations marking the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt in Amman.
Several concerts were also held, adding to the festivities. During an Autostrad concert - one of Jordan's homegrown rock bands - an impromptu dance circle broke out in the crowds.
Several concerts were also held, adding to the festivities. During an Autostrad concert - one of Jordan's homegrown rock bands - an impromptu dance circle broke out in the crowds.
A young Jordanian girl, wearing a dress made out of a traditional kuffiyeh, tries on her pink sunglasses as she and her parents head to the festival.
A young Jordanian girl, wearing a dress made out of a traditional kuffiyeh, tries on her pink sunglasses as she and her parents head to the festival.
Sadly, only kids were allowed to play in the huge play area complete with bouncy castles, human foosball, and bubble soccer.
Sadly, only kids were allowed to play in the huge play area complete with bouncy castles, human foosball, and bubble soccer.
A Jordanian man wearing an Ottoman-style vest and fez, pours iced hibiscus juice for thirsty festival-goers at King Hussein Park on the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.
A Jordanian man wearing an Ottoman-style vest and fez, pours iced hibiscus juice for thirsty festival-goers at King Hussein Park on the centennial of the Great Arab Revolt on June 3, 2016.
Watch out! Jordan's tiniest (and most fashionable) police officers were also on patrol, wearing army and police uniforms, Jordanian flag headbands, and kuffiyehs.
Watch out! Jordan's tiniest (and most fashionable) police officers were also on patrol, wearing army and police uniforms, Jordanian flag headbands, and kuffiyehs.
A brother and sister wave flags and watch as planes from the Royal Jordanian Air Force fly overhead in the air show.
A brother and sister wave flags and watch as planes from the Royal Jordanian Air Force fly overhead in the air show.
Tags:AleppoAmmanLindsey LegerHussein Park

You may also like

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content
Subscribe Now
Loading content ...