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  3. August
  4. 31
  5. Norman Kirk

Deaths on August 31

Norman Kirk
1974Aug, 31

Norman Kirk

Norman Kirk, New Zealand engineer and politician, 29th Prime Minister of New Zealand (b. 1923)
Norman Eric Kirk (6 January 1923 – 31 August 1974) was a New Zealand politician who served as the 29th prime minister of New Zealand from 1972 until his sudden death in 1974.

Kirk joined the New Zealand Labour Party in 1943. He was mayor of Kaiapoi from 1953 until 1957, when he was elected to the New Zealand Parliament. He became the leader of his party in 1964. Following a Labour victory in the 1972 election, Kirk became Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He stressed the need for regional economic development and affirmed New Zealand's solidarity with Australia in adopting a foreign policy more independent of the United States. In 1973, he strongly opposed French nuclear tests in the Pacific. He promoted racial equality at home and abroad; his government prevented the South African rugby team from touring New Zealand during 1973.

Kirk had a reputation as the most formidable debater of his time and once famously said that "there are four things that matter to people: they have to have somewhere to live, they have to have food to eat, they have to have clothing to wear, and they have to have something to hope for," often misquoted as "Someone to love, somewhere to live, somewhere to work and something to hope for." Owing to his energy, charisma and powerful oratory, as well as his untimely death, Kirk remains one of the most popular New Zealand prime ministers.

References

  • Norman Kirk
  • Prime Minister of New Zealand

Choose Another Date

Events on 1974

  • 18Jan

    Yom Kippur War

    A Disengagement of Forces agreement is signed between the Israeli and Egyptian governments, ending conflict on the Egyptian front of the Yom Kippur War.
  • 27Jun

    Richard Nixon

    U.S. president Richard Nixon visits the Soviet Union.
  • 27Jul

    Richard Nixon

    Watergate scandal: The House of Representatives Judiciary Committee votes 27 to 11 to recommend the first article of impeachment (for obstruction of justice) against President Richard Nixon.
  • 9Aug

    Richard Nixon

    As a direct result of the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon becomes the first President of the United States to resign from office. His Vice President, Gerald Ford, becomes president.
  • 8Sep

    Gerald Ford

    Watergate scandal: US President Gerald Ford pardons former President Richard Nixon for any crimes Nixon may have committed while in office.

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