Was trying to find appropriate date to publish this article
but I'm too eager to write it and not willing to wait too long for it. In last
two articles (you can check it HERE and HERE if you missed it) I outlined becoming
of one of the most influential figures of 20th century, ex
Yugoslavia president Josip Broz Tito.
Guess everyone has a peak in his carrier so I guess Tito
shouldn’t be an exception although when you are lifetime president there is
probably lot of important moments in your carrier so it is trickier to asses
but in this case I think it would be hard to miss.
So it is year 1961,
Yugoslavia is celebrating 20 years from national insurrection against Nazi
occupation.
Souvenir sheet below was issued on July 3 in commemoration
of that occasion, it represents Titos statue made by famous sculptor Frano
Krsinic, and it is one of the cornerstones pieces for Yugoslavia stamps
collection due to low printing quantities.
But
in 1961 one globally important event took place in Belgrade, city capitol of
Yugoslavia. On September 1st
Yugoslav post issued two sets of stamps with similar design but different
values (one for regular and another for AirMail with higher values) and one
imperforate souvenir sheet. Stamps depict five faces of different races (should
burn them now as it is probably racist😏 ) and building of federal assembly in
Belgrade.
Now, you wonder on what occasion as none represent Tito!?
Well it represents his idea at its best. In September 1961 in Belgrade, on
Titos initiative happened Conference of Heads of State or Government of
Non-Aligned Countries. Term Non-Aligned Movement or NAM which should be familiar
to most of those born in 20th century came in existence after fifth conference
in 1976.
This movement is still largest global organization after
United Nations and is comprised of 150 member states. General idea of movement
was propagation of world peace, cooperation of countries and fighting
inequalities as opposed to NATO and Warsaw pact cold war policy. Trough this organization
Tito managed to position Yugoslavia as one of very important countries at
international scene shoulder to shoulder with countries such as were Germany,
UK, China, USA, CCCP and other economical and military giants.
If you are interested in topic you can Google more on that
topic as it is very interesting and I do believe that if not for Titos death
this movement would become very powerful and maybe led to more just world (hope
I don’t sound like Miss Universe😂)
For those skeptical about Tito I want to let
know not only Yugoslavia issued stamps with his picture but also Mexico, Brazil,
Cyprus, CCCP (even though he had lot of quarrel with them), Mauritius, Sao Tome
and
probably some more. Don’t believe me? Well there is few pics below to support
it. Actually in 1980 Guinea issued banknote with his face? How many statesman
can say that their face is found on another country banknote, no matter how
small country!?
Tito
passed away in 1980, on May 4th and Yugoslavia post issued set of
two stamps on that occasion.
No matter what anyone claim Tito was historical figure of
greatest significance which can be easily assessed. He received numerous medals,
too many to name them all but a few like, Order of Leopold, highest order of
Belgium, Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, highest decoration given to living
persons in Japan, Federal Cross of Merit, highest decoration in Germany, Legion
of Honour, highest decoration in France all in all 119 awards from 60
countries, sounds quite impressive to me!
His funeral was unmatched in history to that time, only much
more recent funeral of pope Johan Paul II and Nelson Mandela commemoration are
of similar magnitude. His funeral was attended by leaders and representatives
of 128 countries and it was unprecedented to any other funeral of any president
or statesman.
For the end you can find and read NY Times obituary HERE!
