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Additional pictures of the day will be uploaded here

CERN turns 70 on 29 September 2024: joins us for a year-long celebration

On 25 January 2024, CERN officially launched the celebrations for its 70th anniversary. This significant event in the life of the Organization will celebrate the Laboratory’s outstanding contributions to scientific exploration, technological advancements, and global cooperation in particle physics. Over the course of the year, a range of events and initiatives will highlight CERN's diverse achievements while also looking forward to its promising future, with a unique accelerator complex set to drive 70 more years of research into what the Universe is made of and how it works.

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Places like CERN give us hope for a better world. Places like CERN show what humanity can achieve when we set aside our disputes and focus on the common good.

Fabiola Gianotti, CERN Director-General

 

Belgium is proud to support CERN and I reaffirm our commitment to this exceptional European collaborative research project. Here’s to 70 years of discovery and to many more years of adventure driven by the CERN community’s human curiosity.

Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium

 

No European country alone could have built the world’s largest particle collider. CERN has become a global hub because it rallied Europe and this is even more crucial today. I am proud that we have financed the feasibility study for CERN’s Future Circular Collider (FCC). This could preserve Europe's scientific edge and could push the boundaries of human knowledge even further. And as the global science race is on, I want Europe to switch gears. To do so, European unity is our greatest asset.

President of the European Commission Her Excellency Dr Ursula von der Leyen

 

Since Latvia became an Associate Member State in 2021, CERN has had a positive impact on our science and business communities as well. More students, researchers and companies can share knowledge and get access to more than science at a European level, and that is what CERN is about.

 

Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia Her Excellency Ms Evika Siliņa

 

In Paris, a group of visionary scientists – men and women wanted to transform the same power into a force for peace, knowledge and cooperation. These great minds knew science unites people across borders and that idea became CERN. Today we stand where once was just a vision.

President of the Slovak Republic His Excellency Mr Peter Pellegrini

 

CERN symbolises humanity's thirst for knowledge. It is a very good example of the success achieved by countries that do not work against each other, but together.

President of the Swiss Confederation Her Excellency Ms Viola Amherd

 

As a full member of CERN, Serbia feels privileged to highlight the significant contributions its teams have made to the research being conducted in this, the world's largest and most sophisticated laboratory. That is why I am incredibly proud of our expert teams' contributions to CERN's work.

President of the Republic of Serbia His Excellency Mr Aleksandar Vučić

 

I truly believe that the breakthroughs achieved here will continue to profoundly impact our abilities to build a better world and that’s why I can [confirm] that Bulgaria will remain fully committed to this Organization.

President of the Republic of Bulgaria His Excellency Dr Rumen Radev

 

Building peace through science is the vocation of CERN, a worldwide point of reference in the research on elementary particles.

President of the Italian Republic His Excellency Mr Sergio Mattarella

 

CERN has become a unique ecosystem where scientists from all over the planet work together for humanity. It demonstrates humanity’s ability to do so. As humanity faces, in the coming decade, challenges that will require real international collaboration on a large scale, CERN gives us the hope that this is possible.

President of the CERN Council Professor Eliezer Rabinovici

 

70 YEARS OF DISCOVERY AND INNOVATION

Get to know CERN's impactful history since 1954—a legacy of scientific breakthroughs, innovations and global collaboration in particle physics.

PUBLIC EVENTS PROGRAMME 

The 70th anniversary of CERN is an opportunity to engage the public in 70 years of discoveries and innovations. The programme is built around 4 themes: ’ Pushing Back the Frontiers of Knowledge ' is all about open questions in physics, and future directions. 'Advancing Science and Technology' highlights the interplay between fundamental science and cutting-edge technology, leading to groundbreaking solutions for a sustainable future. 'Science without Borders', emphasises CERN's role as a universal model for international collaboration. Finally, 'Science for All', focuses on training, education and accessibility, inspiring inclusiveness in the world of science.

Schedule:

January 30 – CERN’s 70 Years of Scientific Discoveries Unveiling the Universe

March 7 – From Particle Physics to Medicine

April 18 – The Virtuous Circle of Knowledge and Innovation

May 19 – CERN: an Extraordinary Human Endeavour

June 6 – The Case of the (Still) Mysterious Universe

July 4 – Exploring Farther: Machines For New Knowledge

Media accreditations are subject to availability. Please contact us at press@cern.ch if you wish to cover one or more of the public events.

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

As CERN marks its 70th anniversary, it is also celebrating the collective efforts of its Member and Associate Member States. International events hosted in the Member and Associate Member States will honour their contributions and celebrate seven remarkable decades of scientific achievements.

More details about these international events can be found here.

HIGH-LEVEL ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY 

The year-long celebrations will culminate in the official ceremony on 1 October. This highlight of the year will be a prestigious event that will welcome the highest-level authorities from CERN’s Member and Associate Member States, Observers, non-Member States and other key stakeholders, all gathered together to honour CERN’s achievements.

Additional details will be provided in due course.

Press contact:
CERN Press office
press@cern.ch