-
Born
Born in Copenhagen, Denmark. -
Developed the Bohr Model of the Atom
Developed the first model of the atom which integrated the world of quantum physics into Ernest Rutherford's classical model of the atom. The paradigm during that period viewed the atom as planetary structure, with a nucleus in the center and electrons orbiting around it like planets in a solar system. Moving beyond this classical view was the first step to understanding the nature of atoms and the Periodic Table of Elements. (Tro, 264) Link text -
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work in developing a model of the atom that, with some minor improvements by Werner Heisenberg, allowed physicists to explain and understand the inherent stability of atoms ("Niels Bohr Biographical"). -
Fled Denmark to Sweden
Denmark became occupied by Nazi Germany and Bohr fled to Sweden. He later relocated to England and the United States where he helped work on the Atomic Energy Project (AKA the Manhattan Project). He was a strong advocate for peaceful and responsible nuclear science, and for equal access to scientific information - a relatively new concept at the time ("Niels Bohr"). -
Open Letter to the United Nations
In addition to advocating for the peaceful application of atomic science, he advocated for open access of scientific information. In his Open Letter to the United Nations, he stated, "The ideal of an open world...might seem a far remote possibility in the prevailing world situation...but even a common declaration of adherence to such a course would create a most favourable background for concerted efforts to promote universal security. (Bohr)" -
Died
Died in Copenhagen, Denmark.
