Olof Palme, the former Prime Minister of Sweden and internationally renowned political leader, passed away on February 28th, 1986, at the age of 59. Palme was born in 1927 in Stockholm, Sweden. He quickly made his presence known in the political realm; he was the leader of the Swedish Social Democratic Party between 1969 and 1986. In 1969, he became the Prime Minister, ensuing a long era of progressive politics that had a great impact on Swedish society as a whole. As Prime Minister, he pushed for stronger civil rights, opponent the Vietnam War, and built strong international relationships with other left-wing countries. Throughout his career he was an influential figure on the global scale. In 1976, Palme was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland for his strong dedication for diplomatic and international affairs. He was an avid supporter of the United Nations, playing an integral role in helping to draft the Helsinki Accords in 1975. In 1982, Palme was awarded the United Nations Gold Medal of Peace for his tireless work in helping to further the UN’s mission. Palme’s contributions to Swedish society and the global community at large are indelible. Olof Palme was a great leader, a champion of universal human rights, and a credit to the social values upon which Sweden was built. He will be remembered for his commitment to peace, justice, and equality.