Diplomat Ralph Bunche becomes the first Black person awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, for mediating armistice agreements in the Middle East.
At a Glance
- Date
- 10 December 1950
- Location
- Oslo, Norway
- Key people
- Ralph Bunche
- Category
- Politics & Government
- Source
- Nobel Peace Prize records (1950) · The Nobel Prize
What It Meant Then
It marked international recognition of Black American achievement in diplomacy.
What It Means Now
Bunche's award broke a barrier later followed by King and Obama.
Cite this page
- MLA
- “Ralph Bunche Wins the Nobel Peace Prize.” Black-History.com, 30 Sept. 2026, https://black-history.com/on-this-day/ralph-bunche-wins-the-nobel-peace-prize/.
- APA
- Black-History.com Editors. (2026, September 30). Ralph Bunche Wins the Nobel Peace Prize. Black-History.com. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/ralph-bunche-wins-the-nobel-peace-prize/
- Chicago
- Black-History.com Editors. “Ralph Bunche Wins the Nobel Peace Prize.” Black-History.com. September 30, 2026. https://black-history.com/on-this-day/ralph-bunche-wins-the-nobel-peace-prize/.
Editorial Note
By the Black-History.com editors. Last reviewed 30 September 2026. To suggest a primary source or a correction, write to editors@black-history.com or use our corrections form.