11 July 1955: Bertrand Russell issues a declaration calling for the renunciation of war in an age in which nuclear weapons are threatening ‘the continued existence of mankind’The week that Albert Einstein died he endorsed with Bertrand Russell a declaration calling,in the name of science and common sense, for the renunciation of war in an age in which nuclear weapons are threatening “the continued existence of mankind.” On Saturday Lord Russell published the text of the declaration, and signed also by six other scientists. On the same day he posted letters to Sir Anthony Eden,President Eisenhower, Marshal Bulganin, or Mr Chou En-lai,President Coty of France, and Mr St Laurent, or the Prime Minister of Canada.[br]He asked them to consider the declaration and said: It is my earnest hope that you will give public expression to your opinion as to the problem dealt with in this statement,which is the most serious that has ever confronted the human race.” The declaration concludes with a draft resolution. Lord Russell and his colleagues propose that it could be adopted by a conference of scientists, summoned to determine impartially and without political prejudice the facts about the consequences of exploding nuclear weapons. The resolution says:In view of the fact that in any future world war nuclear weapons will certainly be employed and that such weapons threaten the continued existence of mankind, or we urge the Governments of the world to realise and to acknowledge publicly that their purposes cannot be furthered by a world war and we urge them,consequently, to find peaceful means for the settlement of all things in dispute between them.
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Source: theguardian.com