Timeline
- 1909
Born in Pantanaw
Born on 22 January in Pantanaw, in the Irrawaddy Delta of what was then British Burma.
- 1930s
Teacher and headmaster
Studies at University College, Rangoon, then returns to teach at the National High School in Pantanaw, where he becomes headmaster.
- 1948–55
Serving independent Burma
Joins the government of his friend U Nu soon after independence, working as press director, director of broadcasting, and from 1955 secretary to the Prime Minister.
- 1957
Ambassador to the UN
Becomes Burma’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
- 1961
Acting Secretary-General
After Dag Hammarskjöld dies in a plane crash in September, the General Assembly appoints Thant acting Secretary-General on 3 November.
- 1962
The Cuban Missile Crisis
In October he appeals to Kennedy and Khrushchev and acts as an intermediary while the two powers look for a way out. On 30 November he is appointed Secretary-General in his own right.
- 1964
Peacekeepers to Cyprus
The UN force in Cyprus is established in March. The same year the UN operation in the Congo comes to an end.
- 1966
Second term
Reappointed Secretary-General in December.
- 1967
The Sinai withdrawal
In May he orders the UN Emergency Force out of Egypt after Egypt requests its withdrawal. Weeks later the Six-Day War begins. The decision is debated to this day.
- 1969–70
Warnings on the environment
Calls on member states to take global action on pollution and the human environment, helping prepare the ground for the 1972 Stockholm conference.
- 1971
Leaves office
Oversees the UN relief effort for East Pakistan refugees, declines a third term, and leaves office on 31 December.
- 1974
Death and funeral
Dies in New York on 25 November. His funeral in Rangoon becomes a moment of public protest.