“IN THE TRAGIC SITUATION WHICH CONFRONTS HUMANITY, WE FEEL THAT SCIENTISTS SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN CONFERENCE TO APPRAISE THE PERILS THAT HAVE ARISEN AS A RESULT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, AND TO DISCUSS A RESOLUTION IN THE SPIRIT OF THE APPENDED DRAFT.”
-OPENING LINES OF THE RUSSELL-EINSTEIN MANIFESTO
BIRTH OF THE MANIFESTO
On July 9th, 1955, the Russell-Einstein Manifesto was was first issued in a press conference in London. Through this public address, the Russell-Einstein Manifesto was officially born.
PRESS CONFERENCE DISCUSSING THE RUSSEL-EINSTEIN MANIFESTO, JULY 1955. COURTESY OF PUGWASH
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE HEADLINING THE RUSSELL-EINSTEIN MANIFESTO'S PRESS CONFERENCE, JULY 1955. COURTESY OF THE NEW YORK TIMES
CALLS FOR PEACE
The manifesto highlighted the chaos of war and emphasized the danger that was amplified by nuclear weapons. Russell and his fellow scientists urged the world to search for peace in the midst of worsening global conflict.
As the Cold War reached its climax in the mid-1950s, the Russell-Einstein Manifesto, through its blunt and outspoken demands, set the foundations for international diplomacy, guiding the world towards a movement of peace.
"SHALL WE, INSTEAD, CHOOSE DEATH, BECAUSE WE CANNOT FORGET OUR QUARRELS?"
-EXCERPT FROM THE RUSSELL-EINSTEIN MANIFESTO
THE RUSSELL-EINSTEIN MANIFESTO
NATIONAL HISTORY DAY 2022: DEBATE AND DIPLOMACY
EVAN McCRACKIN, REN GIUSTI, AND JUSTIN YANG