27 August 19

Ninety-one years ago on this date, Germany, France and the United States signed an agreement to renounce the use of war forever and to seek the peaceful resolution of disputes. The Kellogg-Briand Pact was named for its authors, U. S. Secretary of State Frank Kellogg and French foreign minister Aristide Briand. Over the next 12 months, 51 additional countries ratified the Pact, joined later by 9 more. It remains in effect today, although its provisions have not been effective in eliminating wars. I could be cynical about the Pact, but instead I hold it up as evidence that people can join together to express peaceful goals in a multinational framework. So I'll wear my "peace cross" tie for celebrations like this.