Alfred Nobel was born in Stockholm, Sweden on October 21, 1833. He invented dynamite as a method to blast rock for construction work. This invention made him a very wealthy man.
Nobel believed that the terrible explosive power of dynamite would force the world to abandon all thoughts of war. Instead, the power of dynamite made waging war easier and much more destructive.
In 1888, a French newspaper mistakenly published a premature obituary of Nobel, condemning his invention of dynamite. The headline of the obituary stated "Le Marchand de la Mort est Mort" ("The Merchant of Death is Dead") and went on to say, "Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday." Nobel was very interested in social and peace-related issues, and held what were considered radical views for his time. Nobel was extremely upset when he read this, and decided to leave the world a better legacy after his death.
When Alfred Nobel died of a stroke on December 10, 1896 at San Remo, Italy, the executors of his will were amazed when his will was read. Nobel had set aside the bulk of his considerable fortune to establish prizes for extraordinary achievements in chemistry, literature, medicine, peace and physics (a prize in economics was added later on).
The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in 1901. It is only given when a worthy candidate is nominated, and there have been 19 years when it has not been awarded. Past winners or co-winners of the Nobel Peace Prize include 84 men, 14 women, and 20 organizations.
Nobel believed that the terrible explosive power of dynamite would force the world to abandon all thoughts of war. Instead, the power of dynamite made waging war easier and much more destructive.
In 1888, a French newspaper mistakenly published a premature obituary of Nobel, condemning his invention of dynamite. The headline of the obituary stated "Le Marchand de la Mort est Mort" ("The Merchant of Death is Dead") and went on to say, "Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday." Nobel was very interested in social and peace-related issues, and held what were considered radical views for his time. Nobel was extremely upset when he read this, and decided to leave the world a better legacy after his death.
When Alfred Nobel died of a stroke on December 10, 1896 at San Remo, Italy, the executors of his will were amazed when his will was read. Nobel had set aside the bulk of his considerable fortune to establish prizes for extraordinary achievements in chemistry, literature, medicine, peace and physics (a prize in economics was added later on).
The first Nobel Peace Prize was awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee in 1901. It is only given when a worthy candidate is nominated, and there have been 19 years when it has not been awarded. Past winners or co-winners of the Nobel Peace Prize include 84 men, 14 women, and 20 organizations.
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
NextGen Leaders Inc.,
a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is the Northeast affiliate of the PeaceJam Foundation.
a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is the Northeast affiliate of the PeaceJam Foundation.
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2010 PEACEJAM NORTHEAST YOUTH CONFERENCE REPORT
