Egypt is the first country in the Middle East and Africa to provide TV broadcasting. Construction of the radio and television center (= Maspero building, see the stamp on left side) was completed in 1960, and the first Egyptian television broadcast started on July 21, 1960. This five-hour-transmission began with Qur'anic recitation followed by the opening of the parliament and a speech by President Gamal Abdel Nasser. This was followed by the national anthem, then the news bulletin and finally ended with Qur'anic recitation. Date of issue: 23 July 1985