The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2024, marking seven decades of groundbreaking research, technological innovation and international collaboration.
Founded in 1954 in Geneva, CERN has become the world’s leading particle physics laboratory. It has played a key role in advancing fundamental research, driving numerous scientific breakthroughs and fostering international collaboration.
Over the past seven decades, CERN’s pioneering work has led to discoveries that have reshaped our understanding of the universe, from the identification of neutral currents in 1973 to the discovery of the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2012. CERN has also generated innovations such as the multiwire proportional chamber that was invented in 1968 and is also famously known as the birthplace of the World Wide Web. The organization has also been a hub for innovation, with technologies developed at CERN finding applications in fields such as medical diagnostics, aerospace and beyond.
A high-level ceremony was held at CERN’s Science Gateway in Geneva, attended by distinguished guests from 38 national delegations, including Heads of State and Government from several countries, as well as prominent figures from the scientific, political and business communities. The event demonstrated the continued global support for CERN’s mission and its role as a leader in high energy physics and technology development.
Fabiola Gianotti, CERN’s Director General, underlined the institution’s long-standing commitment to pushing the frontiers of science and technology: “CERN is a great success for Europe and its global partners. The aspirations and values that motivated our founders remain firmly anchored in our organization today: the pursuit of scientific knowledge for the benefit of humanity, collaboration across borders, and making education and technology accessible to society.”
A model of international cooperation
CERN was founded in the post-war era with the vision of revitalizing European scientific research and promoting peaceful cooperation among nations. It now has 24 full members, 10 associate members, four observers and numerous partners worldwide. The CERN community is made up of more than 17,000 people of over 110 nationalities, reflecting CERN’s status as a model of international cooperation.
As CERN looks to the future, the organization remains at the forefront of addressing some of the most fundamental questions in physics. The LHC, expected to be fully operational in the next decade, will significantly increase the amount of data collected and further enhance the LHC’s research capabilities. In addition, CERN is conducting a feasibility study for the Future Circular Collider, an ambitious project that could serve as the next step in humanity’s quest to understand the underlying laws of nature.
With more than 100 events across Europe to celebrate its 70th anniversary, CERN continues to emphasize its mission to advance science, promote education and foster global collaboration for the benefit of all. As it enters its eighth decade, the organization remains committed to unlocking the mysteries of the universe.