Hans-Dietrich Genscher, German politician (b. 1927)
Hans-Dietrich Genscher (21 March 1927 – 31 March 2016) was a German statesman and a member of the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP), who served as Federal Minister of the Interior from 1969 to 1974, and as Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs and Vice Chancellor of Germany from 1974 to 1992 (except for a two-week break in 1982, after the FDP had left the Third Schmidt cabinet), making him the longest-serving occupant of either post and the only person to have held one of these positions under two different Chancellors of the Federal Republic of Germany. In 1991 he was chairman of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
A proponent of Realpolitik, Genscher has been called "a master of diplomacy". He is widely regarded as having been a principal "architect of German reunification". In 1991, he played a pivotal role in international diplomacy surrounding the breakup of Yugoslavia by successfully pushing for international recognition of Croatia, Slovenia and other republics declaring independence, in an effort to halt "a trend towards a Greater Serbia". After leaving office, he worked as a lawyer and international consultant. He was President of the German Council on Foreign Relations and was involved with several international organisations, and with former Czech President Václav Havel, he called for a Cold War museum to be built in Berlin.
2016Mar, 31
Hans-Dietrich Genscher
Choose Another Date
Events on 2016
- 23Jun
United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016
The United Kingdom votes in a referendum to leave the European Union, by 52% to 48%. - 13Jul
David Cameron
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron resigns, and is succeeded by Theresa May. - 31Aug
Impeachment of Dilma Rousseff
Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff is impeached and removed from office. - 8Nov
2016 Indian banknote demonetisation
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces withdrawal of ₹500 and ₹1000 denomination banknotes effective midnight, making 86% of the currency in circulation invalid. - 7Dec
Aleppo offensive (November-December 2016)
Syrian army continues large-scale attack and controls the revival (Sheikh Lutfi, Marja, Bab al-Nairab, Maadi, Al-Salhin) in the east of Aleppo backed by Russian Air Force and Iranian militias.