Milestones in International Relations
2015 Anniversary Dates
The First Meeting of the League of Nations
(95 years ago)
1920. The first ever meeting of the League of Nations is held in Geneva. The goal of the world's first intergovernmental organization was to prevent another world war from breaking out, a task which it failed to implement.
Analysis: World War II
Analysis: World War II
Panama Canal Put into Operation (95 years ago)
1920. The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, is opened. Around 14,000 ships pass through the 80-plus kilometre canal every year.
Analysis: Latin America, Fleet
Analysis: Latin America, Fleet
The First FIFA World Cup (85 years ago)
1930. Montevideo, Uruguay hosts the first ever Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup. The tournament was won by Uruguay.
Analysis: Sport Diplomacy
Analysis: Sport Diplomacy
Founding of the UN
1945. The United Nations Charter is signed by 50 states. The document remains one of the main sources of international law. The United Nations has 193 Member States as of 2014.
Analysis: United Nations
Analysis: United Nations
Signing of the European Convention on Human Rights (65 years ago)
1950. The Council of Europe Member States signs the European Convention on Human Rights, one of the founding documents of the organization. The European Court of Human Rights was established to guarantee the rights and freedoms of citizens.
Analysis: Human Rights
Analysis: Human Rights
Year of Africa
(55 years ago)
1960. Seventeen new nations appear on the African continent, prompting the United Nations to declare the year the Year of Africa.
Analysis: Africa
Analysis: Africa
Founding of OPEC
(55 years ago)
1960. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is founded in Baghdad. OPEC currently comprises 12 members, which collectively produce one half of the world's petroleum.
Analysis: Oil
Analysis: Oil
Docking of the Apollo-Soyuz
(40 years ago)
1975. The United States and the Soviet Union successfully carried out the joint Apollo–Soyuz Test Project, a manned mission aboard the Soviet Soyuz-19 and the US Apollo.
Analysis: Space
Analysis: Space
Signing of the Helsinki Final Act (40 years ago)
1960. The heads of 35 states sign the Helsinki Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. The document contained a number of agreements that summed up the political consequences of World War II and defined the principles for cooperation between states.
Analysis: OSCE
Analysis: OSCE
Reunification of Germany (25 years ago)
1990. The German Democratic Republic joins the Federal Republic of Germany and West Berlin. The reunification of Germany became a symbol for the end of the Cold War in Europe.
Analysis: Germany
Analysis: Germany
Founding of the World Trade Organization
(20 years ago)
1995. The World Trade Organization is founded. Its aim is to liberalize international trade and regulate trade policy. The WTO currently has 160 members.
Analysis: WTO
Analysis: WTO
The Kyoto Protocol Enters into Force (10 years ago)
2005. The Kyoto Protocol of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change enters into force. The document introduced a number of environmental protection mechanisms, including the reduction of greenhouse gases by industries.
Analysis: Climate Change
Analysis: Climate Change
Produced by Olga Amelina, Anton Tsvetov, Alexander Teslya
Photo Credits: East News
© 2015 Russian International Affairs Council
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Photo Credits: East News
© 2015 Russian International Affairs Council
russiancouncil.ru twitter.com/russian_council facebook.com/russiancouncilen