10 Notable Facts about the Nobel Peace Prize

The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most famous awards in the world – recognizing the hard work of people who genuinely try to make the world a better place. But how much do you know about it? Here are 10 fun facts about the Nobel Peace Prize!

1. How was the Nobel Peace Prize created?

The Nobel Peace Prize was the brainchild of Alfred Nobel – the inventor of dynamite. In his last will and testament, he dedicated a big share of his fortune to the Nobel Prizes.

He wanted one, in particular, to be dedicated to someone who had “done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and for the holding and promotions of peace congresses.” He signed his last will on the 27th of November, 1895.

2. How many Nobel Peace Prizes have been awarded? 

The Nobel Peace Prize has been running since 1901. Yet, there have only ever been 103 Nobel Peace Prizes awarded since then – it’s an award you really need to deserve, it seems!

3. Why is the recipient number so low?

Although there have only been 103 Nobel Peace Prizes awarded since 1901, it is with good reason! The prize was not awarded on 19 occasions in total due to rules that state if there are no recipients who meet the strict criteria. And, if for a reason (such as war), the prize cannot be awarded, then the money will be put into the Foundation’s restricted funds.

1933 Nobel Peace Prize

4. Here’s when the Nobel Peace Prize went to nobody.

The 19 occasions when the Nobel Peace Prize didn’t have a recipient include the years between 1914 and 1916, 1918, 1923, 1924, 1928, 1932, the years between 1939 and 1943, 1948, 1955, 1956, 1966, 1967, and 1972. Phew! Since then, there always seems to have been someone deserving of the accolade.

5. To be shared or not to be shared?

The Nobel Peace Prize can be given to more than one person as a shared prize! In fact, only 69 of the 103 Nobel Peace Prizes to be awarded have been given to one single laureate. 31 prizes have been shared between two laureates, and two have been shared between three! One final award, meanwhile, was shared between one person and two organizations.

6. The youngest peace laureate ever!

Unless you have been living under a rock, chances are you have already heard of Malala Yousafzai! This brave young woman was the youngest person ever to receive a Nobel Peace Prize – she won the award when she was just 7 years old, back in 2014.

7. …and the oldest peace laureate ever is…

On the other end of the scale, we have Joseph Rotblat! He was 87 years old when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995.

8. Even Hitler was nominated…

Believe it or not, some of the most infamous people in history were nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, including Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler!

Stalin was nominated for his efforts to end the Second World War, and Hitler was nominated by a member of the Swedish parliament. However, it is believed the nomination was meant to be taken as a satiric criticism rather than a serious nomination.

Malala Yousafzai

9. It’s even been refused!

Back in 1973, Vietnamese politician Le Duc Tho became the first (and to this day) only person ever to decline the Nobel Peace Prize. He claimed that he did so as the conflict in Vietnam at the time was reason enough to decline such an accolade.

10. Did Winston Churchill ever receive a Nobel Peace Prize?

Winston Churchill was indeed a Nobel laureate; however, he did not win the Nobel Peace Prize! Instead, back in 1953, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature!

Lê Đức Thọ

FAQs about the Nobel Peace Prize

Further reading:
https://factcity.com/tag/nobel-peace-prize
https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/lists/all-nobel-peace-prizes/
https://www.un.org/en/about-us/nobel-peace-prize

Do you know any fun facts about Google? Share them in the comments below!

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This page was last modified on July 29, 2023. Suggest an edit