Henry Kissinger

Henry A. Kissinger, a diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was born in 1923.

Heinz Alfred Kissinger was born on May 27, 1923 in Fuerth, Germany into a Jewish family. His family emigrated to the US in 1938 to escape Nazism.

In August 1938, Henry Kissinger, at the age of 15, fled Germany with his family to escape Nazi persecution.

In September 1938, Henry Kissinger and his family arrived in New York City to escape Nazi persecution in Germany.

Henry Kissinger was naturalized as a United States citizen on June 19, 1943.

In 1944, Dr. Kissinger was assigned to the 84th Infantry Division and sailed from New York to Europe as part of the pursuit phase of the war. He later became a German translator for General Alexander Bolling and volunteered for hazardous counter-intelligence duties during the Battle of the Bulge.

Henry Kissinger participated in the liberation of the Hannover-Ahlem concentration camp, a subcamp of the Neuengamme concentration camp, during the closing stages of World War II.

After serving in the Counter-Intelligence Corps (CIC) post-World War II, Dr. Kissinger was discharged from the Army with the rank of sergeant. His military service was a significant part of his career, shaping his American identity and boosting his confidence.

After returning home in 1947, Henry Kissinger pursued a successful academic career at Harvard University, eventually becoming a professor of government and international affairs in 1957.

Henry Kissinger married Ann Fleischer in 1949 and they had a son and daughter together. The marriage ended in divorce in 1964.

Henry Kissinger received his BA Degree Summa Cum Laude at Harvard College in 1950.

In 1951, Henry Kissinger earned his Master of Arts degree from Harvard University.

Henry Kissinger received his MA Degree at Harvard University in 1952.

Henry Kissinger received his PhD Degree at Harvard University in 1954.

Henry Kissinger's doctoral dissertation, which introduced the concept of 'legitimacy' in international relations, was published as A World Restored. The dissertation focused on the statesmanship of Castlereagh and Metternich and the international system after the Congress of Vienna in 1815.

Henry Kissinger was awarded the Woodrow Wilson Prize in 1958 for the best book in the fields of government, politics, and international affairs.

In 1960, Dr. Kissinger entered the political arena by serving as a senior foreign policy advisor to Gov. Nelson Rockefeller's presidential campaigns. This marked his transition from academia to practical policy-making.

Henry Kissinger divorced Ann Fleischer in 1964.

In 1965, Henry Kissinger visited Vietnam for the first time as a consultant for his friend Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., the Ambassador to Saigon. This visit made Kissinger realize the challenges the United States faced in the Vietnam War.

In 1966, Henry Kissinger visited Vietnam for the second time, further solidifying his understanding that the United States lacked a clear strategy to win or conclude the Vietnam War.

In 1967, Henry Kissinger served as an intermediary in negotiations between the United States and North Vietnam, presenting the American position. This marked an early involvement in diplomatic efforts to end the Vietnam War.

In August 1968, Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia, leading to the postponement of negotiations about strategic disarmament that were supposed to start under the Lyndon Johnson administration.

In December 1968, President Nixon appointed Henry Kissinger as assistant for national security affairs, marking the beginning of his influential role in the Nixon administration.

While engaging in secret negotiations with North Vietnam, Kissinger advised Nixon to escalate the Vietnam War by increasing bombing in North Vietnam and expanding military operations into Cambodia and Laos.

US President Richard Nixon and National Security Adviser Henry Kissinger embarked on a historic voyage to China in February 1972, marking a significant shift in US-China relations during the Cold War era.

On February 27, 1972, the United States and China issued a joint communiqué after Nixon and Kissinger's visit to the People's Republic. This marked a significant moment in diplomatic relations between the two countries.

On August 1, 1972, Henry Kissinger had a meeting with Le Duc Thọ in Paris where Thọ showed willingness to compromise on political and military terms of an armistice, signaling a shift in negotiations.

On October 6, 1972, Henry Kissinger expressed concerns to Nixon that the terms of the Paris Peace Accords would likely lead to the destruction of South Vietnam.

During a secret meeting on October 8, 1972, in Paris, Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Thọ reached a significant breakthrough in negotiations, with Thọ proposing a ceasefire involving the withdrawal of American forces from Vietnam in exchange for the release of POWs.

On October 21, 1972, Henry Kissinger and Ambassador Ellsworth Bunker went to Saigon to show President Thiệu the peace agreement, but Thiệu refused to sign it, leading to further complications in the peace process.

On January 23, 1973, Henry Kissinger initialed a cease-fire agreement in Paris, outlining the withdrawal of U.S. troops and setting the stage for a permanent peace settlement between North and South Vietnam.

On January 27, 1973, Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Thọ signed a peace agreement in Paris, outlining the complete withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam by March in exchange for the release of American POWs by North Vietnam.

On March 1, 1973, Kissinger expressed a controversial view that the emigration of Jews from the Soviet Union was not a priority for U.S. foreign policy, drawing criticism for his comments on the issue.

Appointed as Secretary of State on September 21, 1973.

Henry Kissinger assumes the role of Secretary of State in 1973.

Henry Kissinger was appointed as the Secretary of State on September 23, 1973 by President Richard M. Nixon. This appointment made him the first person to serve as both Secretary of State and National Security Adviser.

On October 6, 1973, the Yom Kippur War began, with Kissinger delaying informing President Nixon about the conflict to avoid interference, showcasing the complexities of the situation.

Le Duc Tho declined the Nobel Peace Prize that he was awarded jointly with Henry Kissinger for their efforts in negotiating a ceasefire during the Vietnam War.

On November 7, 1973, Henry Kissinger flew to Riyadh to meet King Faisal of Saudi Arabia to ask him to end the oil embargo in exchange for promising to be 'even handed' in the Arab-Israeli dispute. Despite Kissinger's efforts, Faisal refused to lift the oil embargo.

On December 10, 1973, Henry Kissinger and Le Duc Thọ were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their roles in negotiating the ceasefires in the Paris Peace Accords, despite the controversial nature of the award.

On March 19, 1974, King Faisal of Saudi Arabia ended the oil embargo imposed on the United States after receiving assurances from Henry Kissinger about being 'even handed' in the Arab-Israeli conflict and promises of weapon sales.

Served concurrently as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs until November 3, 1975.

In June 1976, Kissinger allegedly gave the Argentine military junta the 'green light' for their clandestine repression against leftwing guerrillas and dissidents, leading to brutal reprisals and disappearances. He urged them to act quickly before facing potential sanctions from the U.S. Congress.

In September 1976, Kissinger played an active role in pressuring Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith to expedite the transition to black majority rule in Rhodesia. His involvement, along with other international pressure, contributed to the end of white minority rule in Rhodesia.

On January 13, 1977, Henry Kissinger received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Gerald Ford.

Henry Kissinger served as the Secretary of State from September 23, 1973 to January 20, 1977. His term ended when President Nixon left office.

Kissinger hindered the Carter administration's efforts to stop the mass killings by the 1976–1983 military dictatorship in Argentina. He visited the country as a guest of President Videla to attend the 1978 FIFA World Cup and praised the regime.

Full normalization of relations with China occurred in 1979, following Kissinger's earlier diplomatic efforts and the establishment of 'liaison offices' between the two countries.

In 1980, Henry Kissinger won the National Book Award in History for the first volume of his memoirs, The White House Years.

Memoirs by Henry Kissinger, covering the period from January 1973 to the resignation of President Nixon, providing insights into the events during that time.

A book by Seymour M. Hersh that criticizes Henry Kissinger's role in the Nixon White House, based on thorough research and analysis.

In 1986, Henry Kissinger was awarded the Medal of Liberty for his dedication to promoting freedom and peace on a global scale.

In March 1989, Kissinger took a direct economic interest in U.S.–China relations with the establishment of China Ventures, Inc., a joint venture with the Communist Party government's primary commercial vehicle at the time, China International Trust & Investment Corporation (CITIC).

A biography of Henry Kissinger written by Walter Isaacson, offering a critical yet balanced perspective on Kissinger's life and career.

In 1994, Henry Kissinger published 'Diplomacy', a book that has been considered essential for the study of international affairs and U.S. diplomacy.

Kissinger served as the 22nd Chancellor of the College of William and Mary from 2000 to 2005.

Relatives and survivors of General Rene Schneider filed civil proceedings against Kissinger in federal court in Washington, DC, but the suit was later dismissed.

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell filed a petition for Kissinger's arrest in the High Court in London, citing the destruction of civilian populations and the environment in Indochina during the years 1969–1975. The petition was rejected one day after filing.

Henry Kissinger provided advice on the Iraq War to President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, emphasizing the importance of achieving victory over the insurgency.

In January 2007, Kissinger delivered a eulogy for Gerald Ford at Ford's state funeral in the Washington National Cathedral.

Henry Kissinger stated that India shares parallel objectives with the United States and referred to India as an ally.

Henry Kissinger, along with William Perry, Sam Nunn, and George Shultz, established the Nuclear Threat Initiative to advocate for a world free of nuclear weapons.

In 2011, Henry Kissinger published 'On China', a book that provides insights into China and its relations with the world.

In September 2012, Henry Kissinger fulfilled a promise made years ago by attending a Greuther Fürth home game, despite the team losing 0-2 against Schalke.

On March 5, 2014, Kissinger published an op-ed piece addressing the Ukrainian crisis and advocating for Ukraine's right to choose its economic and political associations freely. He emphasized the need for reconciliation within Ukraine.

President Xi Jinping of China acknowledges Henry Kissinger's long-standing influence on U.S. foreign policy and expresses hope for continued guidance.

Henry Kissinger met with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss global affairs.

In an interview with Charlie Rose, Henry Kissinger expressed his thoughts on President Trump and Vladimir Putin's intentions towards the U.S.

On his 95th birthday, Henry Kissinger was honored with the establishment of the Henry Kissinger Chair at Friedrich Wilhelms University Bonn for his strategic foresight and diplomatic contributions.

In 2019, Henry Kissinger expressed concerns about the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) in controlling nuclear weapons, highlighting the risks of giving power to computers to make decisions in warfare scenarios.

On April 3, 2020, Henry Kissinger shared his perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the threat it poses to the 'liberal world order' and the importance of international cooperation in addressing the crisis.

In May 2022, Kissinger spoke at the World Economic Forum, suggesting a diplomatic solution to the Russian invasion of Ukraine by restoring the status quo ante bellum. He recommended ceding Crimea and parts of Donbas to Russian control, urging Ukrainians to show wisdom in their actions.

During a book tour in July 2022, Kissinger clarified his stance on the Ukraine conflict, supporting a ceasefire line on the borders of February 24. He emphasized that Ukraine should not give up territory it had before the war started.

In January 18, 2023, Kissinger highlighted the need for intensified U.S. support until the February 24 borders are reached or recognized in Ukraine. He advocated for maintaining sanctions until a final settlement is achieved.

Henry Kissinger passed away at the age of 100 due to heart failure at his home in Kent, Connecticut. He was the last living former U.S. Cabinet member from the Richard Nixon administration.

A section citation in MLA style for the biographical information of Henry Kissinger on NobelPrize.org in 2024.