U Thant and the Forgotten Quest for a Just World

Zoom Link for Event: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/7916551954?omn=81128093948

Thant Myint-U, an award-winning writer, historian, and international public servant, will speak about his new book, Peacemaker: U Thant and the Forgotten Quest for a Just World.  U Thant was the Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1961-1971, and, as the first non-Westerner in that role, led the world organization at the height of the Cold War.  It was a time when the newly independent nations of Asia and Africa came to the fore at the UN, and when, for a while. a global peace seemed both urgent and possible.  His grandson, Thant Myint-U, through research into newly declassified archives, tells in his book an entirely new story of the 1960s, including U Thant’s pivotal role in the Congo crisis, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the India-Pakistan War of 1965, his multi-year efforts to end the war in Vietnam, and his failed attempt to prevent the 1967 Six Day War.

Thant Myint-U lived with his grandfather as a young child at the Palisades Avenue estate, which was then the official residence of the UN Secretary-General and the scene of key moments in world history. His talk will include photographs, including family photographs, never before shown, as well as a discussion of his family’s life in Riverdale.

The presentation will take place at the Kingsbridge Historical Society (2570 Independence Ave) on Thursday, September 18th at 7 PM.  Join us in person or on Zoom.

The Kingsbridge Historical Society’s programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.