The 75th anniversary
On 1 November 1944, delegates from 54 nations gathered in the Grand Ballroom of the Stevens Hotel in Chicago at the invitation of the United States of America. At this event, the participants concluded and signed on 7 December 1944 the Convention on International Civil Aviation, also known more popularly as the Chicago Convention, the defining international agreement which has since permitted the global civil aviation system to develop peacefully and in a manner benefitting all peoples and nations of the world. Since ICAO’s inception, aviation has become a linchpin of human activity and socio-economic development.
The 2019 ICAO 75th Anniversary theme of “75 Years of Connecting the world” was selected to help draw attention to the fact that safe, secure and rapid connectivity is the core capability of aviation’s worldwide network, and the key value offering from which all other international benefits derive, whether commercial, cultural or personal.
In 2019, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the global air transport community commemorated this momentous occasion by convening a series of special events. That year’s celebrations were particularly special, since ICAO commemorated the 75th anniversary of the 1944 Convention on International Civil Aviation. Numerous ICAO Member States had committed resources toward various activities that raised public and sectoral awareness on this important milestone in the history of air transport. These included developing airport and CAA ICAO75 historic exhibits; hoisting the ICAO 75th anniversary flag in uniquely prominent geographic locations; arranging aerial demonstrations, and promoting the ICAO75 video at airports around the world.
On 9 June 2017, ICAO issued an Electronic Bulletin titled: “NATIONAL STAMPS COMMEMORATING THE 75th ANNIVERSARY OF ICAO”, drawing the attention of the Contracting States to issue postage stamps connected with international civil aviation to celebrate this event.
Emblems related to the 75th anniversary, created by ICAO’s Offices:
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A philatelic article commemorating ICAO’s 75th anniversary was part of the Journal of United Nations Philatelists in June 2019, Vol. 43 #3; this story can be viewed by clicking on the following link: UNPI - ICAO Celebrates its 75th anniversary. Moreover, another philatelic article describing the stamps issued for the 75th anniversary was part of the Journal of United Nations Philatelists in June 2021, Vol. 45 #3; this story can be viewed by clicking on the following link: The Stamps That Commemorate ICAO’s 75th Anniversary. A special medal was struck for the 75th anniversary; see at the following link: 75th Anniversary Medal.
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ICAO Headquarters building illuminated or decorated for the 75th anniversary.
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Landscaping in front of ICAO Headquarters (see at the right) for the 75th anniversary.
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Front of ICAO Conference Centre (Montréal, Canada).
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Aviation civile, October 2019, No. 388., page 2. Boeing B737-800 taking-off. Photo Credit: Boris Zaïon, Illustrator, Director of Mathematic Studio. “Aviation civile” is the magazine of the French DGCA. |
On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Chicago Convention (i.e., 7 December 2019), a special souvenir envelope was issued by ICAO Staff Association. The cachet/design shows ICAO’s 75th anniversary emblem. The postmark was designed in cooperation with Canada Post Corporation. The Picture Postage or personalized stamp specially created for this anniversary is valued at the domestic rate to mail a standard-size envelope weighing up to 30 grams anywhere in Canada.
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Front page of the booklet of 12 stamps.
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Special souvenir cover prepared by ICAO’s Staff Association for the 75th anniversary of ICAO.
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Postcard used for the announcement of the cocktail dinner to mark the 75th anniversary of ICAO held on 23 September 2019, as part of the Civil Aviation Week.
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France commemorated the 75th anniversary of ICAO with important celebrations and an exhibition on the creation and history of ICAO. The exhibition was inaugurated on 22 October 2019 in the famous Salon de l’Horloge of the Quai d’Orsay, 100 years to the day after the signing of the Paris Convention. It retraced the history of ICAO from the beginnings of ICAN (International Commission for Air Navigation) in 1919 to its founding. It is to be noted that 2019 also marked the 50th anniversary of the passing away of Albert Roper (1891-1969); he was the Secretary General of ICAN, the Secretary General of PICAO and first Secretary General of ICAO (until 1951).
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Picture taken during the above-mentioned exhibition in 2019. It shows from left to right: 1) Raymond Benjamin, ICAO Secretary General from 2009 to 2015; 2) Bertrand de Lacombe, Director of European and International Affairs at the Direction générale de l'aviation civile (DGAC) in France; 3) Yves Lambert, ICAO Secretary General from 1976 to 1988.
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The La Presse+ newspaper tablet edition of 23 September 2019 published a special folder titled: “ICAO, a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, Level for Montréal”. The pages of this folder are displayed here.
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First Day Cover commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Entry into Force of the Chicago Convention on 4 April 2022. The cachet at left shows a montage of the stamps issued for the 75th anniversary of the Organization commemorated in 2019. See details of these stamps issued at: Stamps 75th Anniversary. |
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