Count-down to CERN's 50<sup>th</sup> Anniversary

Exactly 50 years ago, on 1 July 1953, CERN's founding convention was signed. A year later, after it was ratified by the founding Member States, the Organization itself saw the light of day. CERN is getting ready to celebrate the historic anniversary. The preparations are beginning for a year of festivities in 2004 and you can already access the graphics for it.

In the scientific Europe exhausted after the war, few were ready to put their money on a European fundamental science laboratory. Some, however, believed in a future, and they gradually won over the sceptics. On 29 September 1954, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, was officially born. CERN is now unchallenged and its achievements are undeniable. The Laboratory is getting ready to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary in 2004.



To celebrate the event and organize the festivities, a steering committee has been set up, helped out by delegates from the Member States. The culminating point of the anniversary year will be in October. An open day is planned for 16 October, a day dedicated to the personnel and to local communities for 17 October, and a celebration in the presence of various dignitaries, heads of State and members of governments for 19 October. It is also intended to inaugurate the Globe of Innovation and hold a Grid calculation contest on that day.
But events will not be confined to these three special days, for CERN's fiftieth anniversary will be celebrated throughout the year 2004. Thus, events will follow one another in the Member States throughout the year: science cafés, scientific film seasons, discussions, exhibitions, shows, science tea-parties for children, etc. Celebrations of the major events will also be held in the Host States. In March, for example, Switzerland will officially launch a commemorative postage stamp for CERN's fiftieth anniversary. You will be kept abreast of events planned for the year, as and when they are announced.
Take part in the jubilee by using the special graphics from now on! A fiftieth-anniversary logo and model letterhead can be found via the following link:

http://www.cern.ch/CERN50

Contact : cern.50@cern.ch



On 1 July 1953, representatives of the twelve founding Member States of CERN signed the Organization's convention. Today, CERN numbers 20 European Member States : Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. India, Israel, Japan, the Russian Federation, the United States of America, Turkey, the European Commission and UNESCO have observer status.