2004: CERN celebrates its 50th anniversary

CERN celebrated its 50th anniversary in style in 2004, with the inauguration of the Globe of Science and Innovation on 19 October. A gift from the Swiss Confederation, the Globe is an iconic wooden structure first used for the Swiss national exhibition in 2002 as a pavilion dedicated to the theme of sustainable development. The Globe is being developed into a new visitor and networking centre for the Laboratory — a focal point for CERN’s interaction with society.

The inauguration of the Globe in 2004 coincided with the official celebration of CERN’s anniversary, attended by representatives of the Organization’s 20 Member States including the heads of state of France, Spain and Switzerland.

Architects of the Globe: Thomas Büchi and Hervé Dessimoz, Geneva