Death of Dag Hammarskjöld
Dag Hammarskjöld was a prominent Swedish diplomat who served as the second Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1953 until his tragic death in a plane crash on September 18, 1961, while en route to a peace mission in Katanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Born on July 29, 1905, Hammarskjöld had a distinguished educational background, earning degrees in economics and law. His career included significant roles in Sweden's government and the UN, where he was known for his commitment to the independence of smaller nations and the promotion of peace. Notably, he was instrumental in creating the United Nations Emergency Force during the Suez Crisis and sent troops to the Congo during its tumultuous transition to independence. Hammarskjöld's leadership style emphasized action in emergencies and the importance of international cooperation, allowing him to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes effectively. Posthumously, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961, reflecting his dedication to global peace efforts. His writings, including a collection of meditations titled "Markings," continue to resonate, offering insights into his humanitarian philosophy and vision for the UN's role in the world.
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Death of Dag Hammarskjöld
Death of Dag Hammarskjöld
United Nations Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld died in a plane crash while traveling to Katanga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), on a peace mission on September 18, 1961. He was the second secretary-general of the United Nations, serving in that office from 1953 to 1961. Hammarskjöld was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize posthumously in 1961.
Hammarskjöld, whose full name was Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl Hammarskjöld, was born on July 29, 1905, in Jonkoping, Sweden. His father served as prime minister of Sweden from 1914 to 1917 and as chairman of the Nobel Prize Foundation from 1929 to 1947. Hammarskjöld was the youngest of four sons. He studied at Uppsala University and continued his studies after receiving his bachelor of arts degree at the age of 20, eventually receiving additional degrees in economics and law, including a doctorate from the University of Stockholm. From 1930 to 1934 Hammarskjöld served on a government commission concerning unemployment. His success in this position led the directors of the Bank of Sweden to appoint him the bank's secretary in 1935. The following year, Hammarskjöld took a post as undersecretary in the Ministry of Finance, a position that he would hold until 1945. While in this post, Hammarskjöld was appointed in 1941 as head of the Bank of Sweden and remained at that post until 1948.
In 1946 Hammarskjöld became the financial advisor to the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and by 1951 he had become the deputy foreign minister. While he held cabinet rank, Hammarskjöld chose not to align himself with a political party but rather to represent Sweden as a delegate to the United Nations in 1949 and again from 1951 to 1953. In April 1953 Hammarskjöld was elected as secretary-general of the UN for a period of five years. He was reelected in September 1957 for another five-year term.
Though Hammarskjöld was primarily an economist and not a politician, he had the ability to bring people together. He was raised to appreciate the value of civil service, and he saw his role in the UN as protecting the independence of smaller nations. One of the first things Hammarskjöld did when in office was to organize a set of regulations for his secretariat that set forth their responsibilities to the UN above and beyond any national interests. Hammarskjöld insisted that the secretary-general must be free to act on emergencies without waiting for authorization from the Security Council or the General Assembly.
Hammarskjöld traveled widely during his administration, sometimes going to a particular country to deal with a specific problem. Other times his goal was generally to familiarize himself with the leaders and particular situations of member governments. During a trip to Beijing, China, from December 30, 1954, to January 13, 1955, he persuaded China to release 15 American fliers who had been captured during the Korean War. In 1956 Hammarskjöld commissioned the organization of the United Nations Emergency Force. Later, he set the stage for the utilization of a UN “presence” in trouble spots around the world.
On June 30, 1960, Hammarskjöld sent U.N. troops to help suppress civil unrest which had erupted when the Belgian Congo became the independent Republic of the Congo. The Soviet Union denounced this action and demanded that Hammarskjöld resign, but he refused to do so. Hammarskjöld was on a mission concerning the separatist movement in the Congo when his plane crashed on September 15, 1961, killing him. Markings, a book containing his meditations, was published posthumously in 1964.