History of Nobel Peace Prize in Timeline

The Nobel Peace Prize, established by Alfred Nobel in 1901, is awarded annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to fostering fraternity between nations, reducing standing armies, and promoting peace congresses. It is one of the five Nobel Prizes and is widely regarded as the most prestigious prize globally. The prize recognizes efforts in peace-making and conflict resolution on an international scale.

March 1901: First Nobel Peace Prize Awarded

In March 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize was first awarded as per Alfred Nobel's will, marking the beginning of recognizing individuals who have contributed significantly to fraternity between nations, disarmament, and peace promotion.

1901: Ceremony in the Storting (Parliament)

From 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony took place in the Storting (Parliament).

1901: Medal Designed by Gustav Vigeland

In 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize medal was designed by the Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, featuring a profile sculpture of Alfred Nobel.

1901: Nominations Begin

In 1901, the nomination process for the Nobel Peace Prize began, marking the inception of the formal selection of candidates.

1904: Last Ceremony in the Parliament

In 1904, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony was held for the last time in the Parliament.

1905: Ceremony at the Norwegian Nobel Institute

From 1905, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony took place at the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

1917: ICRC First Win

In 1917, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) won its first Nobel Peace Prize.

1937: Gandhi Nominated

In 1937, Mahatma Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

1938: Gandhi Nominated

In 1938, Mahatma Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

1939: Adolf Hitler Receives Satirical Nomination

In 1939, Adolf Hitler received a satirical Nobel Peace Prize nomination from a member of the Swedish parliament, mocking the serious nomination of Neville Chamberlain.

1939: Gandhi Nominated

In 1939, Mahatma Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

1944: ICRC Second Win

In 1944, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) won its second Nobel Peace Prize.

1946: Last Ceremony at Norwegian Nobel Institute

In 1946, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony was held for the last time at the Norwegian Nobel Institute.

1947: Ceremony at the University of Oslo

From 1947, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony was held in the Atrium of the University of Oslo Faculty of Law.

1947: Gandhi Nominated

In 1947, Mahatma Gandhi was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

1947: Ceremony in assembly hall of the University of Oslo

In 1947, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony was held in the assembly hall of the University of Oslo, one of the venues before the Oslo City Hall.

January 1948: No Prize Awarded After Gandhi's Death

In January 1948, following Mahatma Gandhi's death, the Nobel Committee declined to award a Nobel Peace Prize, stating there was no suitable living candidate that year.

1954: UNHCR First Win

In 1954, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) won its first Nobel Peace Prize.

1963: ICRC Third Win

In 1963, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) won its third Nobel Peace Prize.

1971: Nominations Database Cutoff

Nominations from 1901 to 1971 have been released in a database.

1973: Controversy over Kissinger and Thọ Award

The 1973 Nobel Peace Prize award to Henry Kissinger and Lê Đức Thọ sparked controversy, leading to resignations from the selection committee and criticism in the press.

1981: UNHCR Second Win

In 1981, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) won its second Nobel Peace Prize.

1989: Last Ceremony in assembly hall of the University of Oslo

In 1989, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony was held for the last time in the assembly hall of the University of Oslo.

1989: Dalai Lama's Prize as Tribute to Gandhi

In 1989, when the Dalai Lama was awarded the Peace Prize, the committee chairman noted it was partly a tribute to the memory of Mahatma Gandhi.

1989: Last Ceremony at the University of Oslo

Until 1989, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony was held in the Atrium of the University of Oslo Faculty of Law.

1990: Prize award ceremony held in Oslo City Hall

Since 1990, the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony has been held in Oslo City Hall, marking a change in venue from previous locations.

1990: Ceremony Moves to Oslo City Hall

Since 1990, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony has been held at Oslo City Hall, changing the location from previous years.

2006: Secretary Regrets Gandhi Omission

In 2006, Geir Lundestad, Secretary of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, stated that the greatest omission in the committee's history was not awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Mahatma Gandhi.

2009: Record Nominations Received

In 2009, the Nobel Committee received a record of 205 nominations for the Peace Prize, highlighting growing global interest and engagement.

2010: Nominations Record Broken

In 2010, the Nobel Committee received 237 nominations, breaking the 2009 record. The increasing number of nominations indicates a growing global engagement with peace efforts.

2011: Criticisms of the Nobel Committee

In 2011, Aftenposten published a feature story criticizing the Nobel Committee for its composition, criteria, and adherence to Nobel's will, suggesting reforms for the selection process and transparency.

2011: Michael Nobel Criticizes Politicization

In 2011, Michael Nobel, the grandson of one of Alfred Nobel's brothers, criticized the Nobel Committee for the politicization of the award, claiming it deviates from Nobel's original intentions.

2011: Another Nominations Record Broken

In 2011, the Nobel Committee received 241 nominations, breaking the 2010 record. The continued increase in nominations showcases sustained global engagement in peace and conflict resolution.

2020: Typical Nobel Prize Award Amount

Around 2020, typical Nobel Peace Prize awards were approximately 10 million SEK, equivalent to about 1 million USD, reflecting the prize's financial value at the time.

October 2023: Peace Prize Statistics

As of October 2023, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to 111 individuals and 27 organizations, with 19 women among the recipients.

2024: Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Nihon Hidankyo

In 2024, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization of atomic bomb survivor groups, for their efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons.