United Nations Peace Plaza

The United Nations Peace Plaza in Independence, Missouri, U.S., was unveiled on October 27, 1997, formally dedicated by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on April 25, 2003,[1] and is described by its creators as "the only memorial in the world to those persons serving in the Peacekeeping Forces of the United Nations".[2] The 12.5-foot statue is named "Girl with Dove" by its sculptor, Tom Corbin,[3][4] and in 2003, a four-foot miniature was gifted to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.[5]

The United Nations Peace Plaza in Independence, Missouri, with the RLDS/Community of Christ Auditorium in the background. Upon signing the United Nations Charter in San Francisco, California on June 26, 1945, President Harry Truman arrived in Independence, Missouri the next day, and addressed a crowd of about 10,000 in the RLDS Auditorium.

On December 11, 2006, after his final speech as Secretary-General, delivered at the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri,[6][7] Annan visited the Peace Plaza for a wreath-laying ceremony.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "...Peace Plaza dedicatory ceremony in Independence April 25, 2003..." Quickview of July, 2004 UNA-GCK newsletter report.
  2. ^ Partial explanation of the Plaza and Statue at website of "United Nations Association - Greater Kansas City Chapter."(UNA-GKC)
  3. ^ "Artist and Biography of Tom Corbin"[dead link]lists the U.N. Peace Plaza as one of his works.
  4. ^ "Tom Corbin: The Inevitable Artist" by Beverly Bellinger Biography of the sculptor Tom Corbin published in 2006, previewed at Amazon.Com
  5. ^ "Expedite! Ships statue for United Nations Quickview of July, 2004 UNA-GCK newsletter report.
  6. ^ Audio of Annan's "Farewell Address" December 11, 2006 at trumanlibrary.org
  7. ^ Text of December 11, 2006 speech Archived July 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine at United Nations official website
  8. ^ Annan pays tribute at U.N. Peace Plaza Robert Hite, The Examiner, December 12, 2006.
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39°5′26.5″N 94°25′44.3″W / 39.090694°N 94.428972°W / 39.090694; -94.428972