Political Apologies

AHDA Political Apology

How does the act of apologizing enable societies to come to terms with their past?

Political apologies can be a powerful tool in the re-examination of a nation's history, and the significance this history has on democratic processes. The project includes a working list of political apologies throughout history that political scientist Graham Dodds has researched and compiled.

This is a working list of major political apologies and related events. The selection criteria for compiling the list are somewhat loose, but the intent is to include any and all apologies that involve states, nations, or major political groups and actors, generally for significant public wrongs. Thus, apologies by individual politicians for more narrow matters (e.g., alleged personal or criminal failings) are generally excluded.

Should you wish to add to the list, please e-mail ahda@columbia.edu.

Displaying 51 - 75 of 823
Date of Apology Title Summary Source
1955 USA-Japan U.S. pays $2 million in restitution for a 1954 nuclear test

The U.S. pays $2 million in restitution for a 1954 nuclear test that accidentally exposed the Japanese fishing vessel the Lucky Dragon to radiation some 80 miles away from the test site on the Bikini Atoll.

 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/bomb/peopleevents/pandeAMEX51.html
6 January 1955 The commander of a U.S. Naval base- Trinidad Cabinet Ministers

 The commander of a U.S. Naval base apologizes to Trinidad for an incident involving two cabinet ministers.

 “Trinidad Gets Apology.” New York Times. January 7, 1955.
14 February 1955 The Mayor of Miami apologizes to a group of African Americans

The Mayor of Miami apologizes after a group of African Americans are ejected from a Republican dinner.

 “Negroes’ Ouster Draws Apology.” New York Times. February 15, 1955.
May 1955 Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev apologizes to Yugoslavian President Tito for tensions between the USSR and Yugoslavia under Stalin

In Belgrade, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev apologizes to Yugoslavian President Tito for tensions between the USSR and Yugoslavia under Stalin: “We sincerely regret what happened, and resolutely reject the things which occurred, one after the other, during that period.”

 “Yugoslavia: Come Back, Little Tito.” Time. June 6, 1955.
18 August 1955 Indian-Foreign Missions and Consulates Attacks by demonstrators

Indian Prime Minister Nehru apologizes and expresses deep regret to foreign missions and consulates in New Delhi that were attacked by Indian demonstrators and offers to pay full compensation for damage.

 “Nehru Offers Compensation.” New York Times. August 18, 1955.
11 May 1956 Britain - Soviet Union

Great Britain apologizes to the Soviet Union for the Royal navy spying on Soviet warships.

 “Soviet Receives British Apology in Frogman Case.” New York Times. May 12, 1956.
May 1960 Soviet leader demands apology from US

As a condition for going ahead with a planned summit in Paris, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev demands that U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower apologize for spying on the USSR with a U2 plane that was shot down. Eisenhower refuses to apologize, so the Soviets leave the summit.

 “U-2 Overflights and the Capture of Francis Gary Powers, 1960.” Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State. Milestones: 1953-1960. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1953-1960/u2-incident
4 October 1960 Soviet Union-USA Demand for U.S. apology for spying

 At the United Nations, Soviet Premier Khrushchev demands that the U.S. apologize for recent spying activity, which he termed “unprecedented treacherous acts,” before there can be any improvement in Soviet-U.S. relations.

 Welles, Benjamin. “Premier Insists on U.S. Apology.” New York Times. October 4, 1960.
1963 USA -African Americans compensation for the exploitation and humiliation of the Negro in American down through the centuries

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. writes, “No amount of gold could provide adequate compensation for the exploitation and humiliation of the Negro in American down through the centuries.”  Yet he calls for compensation for unpaid wages.

 King, M. L. Why We Can’t Wait. 1963. p150-2.
9 May 1964 South Vietnam-Cambodia straying into Cambodian territory

South Vietnam apologizes for its troops “unintentionally straying” into Cambodian territory yesterday during military action against the Communist forces.

 “Saigon Sends an Apology.” New York Times. May 9, 1964.
1965 Japan-South Korea issue apology” for Japan’s 36-year colonial rule.

A joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea includes “twenty vague words of apology” for Japan’s 36-year colonial rule.

 hriver, Donald W., Jr. An Ethic for Enemies. Oxford, 1995. p135.
17 February 1965 Japan-South Korea Relations

 In South Korea, Japanese Foreign Minister Shinna Etsusaburo expresses “sincere regret” and “deep remorse” over the “unfortunate period” in relations between the two countries.

 Nobles, Melissa. The Politics of Official Apologies. Cambridge, 2008. p155.
18 March 1965 USA Alabama apologizes to Civil Rights Demonstrators

The sheriff of Montgomery County, Alabama apologizes for routing 600 civil rights demonstrators with horses and clubs yesterday.

 Reed, Roy. “Accord Reached In Montgomery.” New York Times. March 18, 1965.
28 October 1965 Catholic church Jewish condemnation

In a declaration entitled “Nostra Aetate,” the Second Vatican Council reverses the traditional condemnation of Jews as the murderers of Jesus

 Wiesel, Elie. “Nostra Aetate: An Observer’s Perspective.” Thought. December, 1992; Banki, Judith H. “The Church and the Jews.” Journal of Ecumenical Studies. Summer, 1997.
31 August 1966 Arkansas Governor- 25 Africans refused service at a cafe

Arkansas Governor Orval E. Faubus apologizes after 25 Africans are refused service at a cafe.

 “Africans, Rebuffed in Cafe, Get Apology From Faubus.” New York Times. September 1, 1966.
10 June 1967 Israel-U.S. Attack on the spy ship the U.S.S. Liberty

Israel apologizes to the U.S. for attacking the spy ship the U.S.S. Liberty in the eastern Mediterranean two days earlier.  Thirty-four people were killed and 171 were wounded in the attack, which was apparently a case of mistaken identity during the Six Days War.  Israel later agrees to pay $12.7 in damages.

 Crewdson, John. “New revelations in attack on American spy ship.” Chicago Tribune. October 2, 2007; Jacobson, Walter L. “A Juridical Examination of the Israeli Attack on the USS Liberty.” Naval Law Review. Vol. 36. Winter, 1986.
27 July 1967 U.S. President proclaims a national day of prayer and reconciliation after racial riots

U.S. President Lyndon Johnson proclaims a national day of prayer and reconciliation after racial riots in Detroit kill 40 people, injure 2,000 people, and destroy 5,000 homes.

 Taylor, Tim. The Book of Presidents. Arno, 1972. p563.
June 1968 Soviet Union apologizes to Venezuela

The Soviet Union apologizes to Venezuela after a Soviet ship sailed into Venezuelan waters. The apology led to the release of the ship and its 42 crewmen.

 “Soviet Apology Wins Crew’s Release.” Los Angeles Times. June 19, 1968.
23 October 1968 Egyptian- Israel Demand for Israel apology over agression

 Egyptian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Riad demands that Israel apologize to Arab states for its “aggression” in 1967

 Middleton, Drew. “Egypt Demands Israeli Apology.” New York Times. October 23, 1968.
21 December 1968 The United States- North Korea U.S. apology over territorial waters

The United States signs an apology prepared by North Korea, admitting that the U.S.S. Pueblo violated North Korean territorial waters.  The admission gains the release of the captured U.S. crew but not the ship.

 Tavuchis, Nicholas. Mea Culpa. Stanford, 1991. p104.
14 December 1970 West German Chancellor express guilt for the Holocaust

 At the site of the Warsaw ghetto, West German Chancellor Willy Brandt falls to his knees to express the guilt, sorrow, and responsibility of Germany for the Holocaust.

 Schiller, Bill. “World Bids Final Farewell to Conciliator Willy Brandt.” Toronto Star. October 18, 1992.
16 November 1971 Japanese Emperor Hirohito says his personally sorry for certain things in World War II

In his first meeting with foreign journalists, Japanese Emperor Hirohito says about World War II, “Yes, there are certain things which happened for which I feel personally sorry.”

 “Japan’s Apologies for World War II.” New York Times. August 14, 2015.
25 September 1972 Japan-China Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka realizes damage to the Chinese people through war

Japanese Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka tells visiting Chinese Premier Chou En-lai that “Japan realizes her heavy responsibility in causing enormous damage to the Chinese people in the past through the war.”

 hriver, Donald W., Jr. An Ethic for Enemies. Oxford, 1995. p136.
10 April 1974 Pakistan apologizes to Bangladesh for violence

Pakistan apologizes to Bangladesh for violence committed during the 1971 war for independence. The apology followed an agreement by the two countries, according to which Bangladesh would not pursue war crimes charges against Pakistani prisoners of war.

 Weinraub, Berbard. “Pakistan Offers Apology to Bangladesh.” New York Times. April 11, 1974.
16 September 1974 American President initiates clemency for draft evaders

President Gerald Ford initiates a program of earned clemency for thousands of Vietnam era draft evaders and military deserters.

 Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/256605

Pages