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Winchester Academy reviews Marco Polo?s journey

Joe Janssen will present “The Silk Road Journey of Marco Polo” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, at the Waupaca Area Public Library.

In the 13th century, Marco Polo traveled along the Eurasian trade route now called the Silk Road. The route linked traders, merchants, pilgrims, monks, soldiers, nomads and urban dwellers from the Mediterranean Sea to China.

Venturing farther into China than any prior European, Marco Polo opened the eyes of Europe to a wider, more extravagant world than they had previously known.

In 1299 Marco Polo related his stories in a widely read book, The Travels of Marco Polo. For years, most Europeans believed his stories to be fiction. Since his death, however, much of what he claimed to have seen was verified by researchers and other explorers.

Janssen has taught world history at Waupaca High School for the past 13 years. He is currently the chair of the Social Studies Department.

His 25 years of teaching also include two years at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, where he received his master’s degree.

Winchester Academy programs are free and open to the public. Program expenses are funded through sponsors and tax-deductible donations. Janssen’s presentation is sponsored by Vance and Ann Buerger Linden.

For more information about Winchester Academy, go to winchesteracademywaupaca.org or contact Executive Director Ann Buerger Linden at 715-258-2927 or [email protected].

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