On June 23

On this day in ...
... 1961, having been concluded in 1959, the Antarctic Treaty entered into force, as proclaimed this same day by U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Days later, the 1st consultative meeting of the 12 states parties to the treaty (prior posts) was set for the following month in Canberra, Australia. (credit for treaty system logo at right)

(Prior June 23 posts are here, here, and here.)

On October 4

On this day in ...

... 1991, the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was opened for signature. This followup to the 1principal treaty of 1961 (prior post) would enter into force 7 years later, and now has 28 member states. Its mandatory provisions include commitment to the "comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment"; designation of Antarctica (right) (photo credit) as a "natural reserve, devoted to peace and science"; articulation of environmental protection principles; prohibition of commercial mineral resource activity; and requirement of environmental impact assessment of any proposed activity.

(Prior October 4 posts are here and here.)

On May 26, ...

... 1933, Australia claimed 42% of Antarctica 's territory, an area 80% as large as Australia itself. It is 1 of 7 states claiming rights in Antarctica. Today activities on the world's southernmost continent are governed pursuant to the Antarctic Treaty of 1961, which begins:

Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only. There shall be prohibited, inter alia, any measure of a military nature, such as the establishment of military bases and fortifications, the carrying out of military manoeuvres, as well as the testing of any type of weapon.

... 1994, the United States and Vietnam established diplomatic relations, nearly 2 decades after U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War had come to an end.