#OTD20 | October 16, 1973

Diplomacy in the Face of War: The Nobel Honor for Kissinger and Tho

October 16, 1973: Dr. Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their roles in the Paris peace accord.

Amidst the backdrop of one of the most turbulent wars in history, the two diplomats successfully navigate complex negotiations to reach an agreement.

The Paris Peace Accord, though marred by controversies, signals the cessation of active fighting in Vietnam. The Nobel Peace Prize bestowed upon Kissinger and Tho serves as a testament to the significance of their diplomatic endeavors and the value of diplomacy during times of conflict.

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America's long involvement in Southeast Asia is chronicled in our eye-opening video survey, "Vietnam," from AMERICA IN THE 20TH CENTURY.

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Additional Resources

Access more information from Media Rich Learning and curated off-site sources.

The Nobel Foundation

Read about Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Tho at the website of the Nobel Foundation.

United Nations

Read the text of the Paris Peace Accords at the website of the United Nations.

Harvard Kennedy School

Read "50 years later, the legacy of the Paris Peace Accords isn’t one of peace" from the Harvard Kennedy School.

#OTD20

Step back in time to experience the significant events that happened on this day in the 20th century.

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October 11, 1936: Mother Jones Memorial Dedicated

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October 7, 1963: President Kennedy Signs Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

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September 29, 1950: Reaching the 38th Parallel in Korea

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September 28, 1928: Alexander Fleming and the Discovery of Penicillin

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September 27, 1964: Warren Report — Solving or Complicating JFK’s Assassination?

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September 26, 1960: The First Televised Presidential Debate

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