On This Day

Croatia and Albania join NATO

NATO is a military alliance of thirty-two European and North American countries that constitutes a system of collective defense.

NATO is a military alliance of thirty-two European and North American countries that constitutes a system of collective defense. The process of joining the alliance is governed by Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which allows for the invitation of "other European States" only and by subsequent agreements. Countries wishing to join must meet certain requirements and complete a multi-step process involving political dialogue and military integration. The accession process is overseen by the North Atlantic Council, NATO's governing body. NATO was formed in 1949 with twelve founding members and has added new members ten times. The first additions were Greece and Turkey in 1952.

Historical Significance

NATO is a military alliance of thirty-two European and North American countries that constitutes a system of collective defense.

Events Before

  1. A New Hampshire law legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples comes into effect

    A New Hampshire law legalizing civil unions for same-sex couples comes into effect

  2. Australian pop diva Natalie Imbruglia (32) and "Silverchair" frontman Daniel Johns (28) announce their divorce stating "

    Australian pop diva Natalie Imbruglia (32) and "Silverchair" frontman Daniel Johns (28) announce their divorce stating "we have simply grown apart through not being able to spend enough time together"

  3. "Breaking Bad," created by Vince Gilligan and starring Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, premieres on AMC

    Breaking Bad is an American neo-Western crime drama television series created and produced by Vince Gilligan for AMC.

  4. Fears of a possible US recession cause a Black Monday for global stock markets, European stocks suffer their worst decli

    Fears of a possible US recession cause a Black Monday for global stock markets, European stocks suffer their worst decline since 9/11, and Asian stocks drop as much as 15%

  5. Toshiba announces its formal recall of its HD DVD video format, ending the format war with Sony's Blu-ray Disc

    Toshiba Corporation (株式会社東芝, Kabushikigaisha Tōshiba; English: ) is a Japanese multinational electronics company headquartered in Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Events After

  1. New FINA rules re competition swimsuits come into effect; all body-length swimsuits banned; men's suits to maximally cov

    New FINA rules re competition swimsuits come into effect; all body-length swimsuits banned; men's suits to maximally cover from the waist to knee, and women's from shoulder to knee; fabric must be a "textile" or woven material

  2. Earthquake devastates Haiti, killing an estimated 100,000 to 160,000 people and destroying the majority of the capital P

    Earthquake devastates Haiti, killing an estimated 100,000 to 160,000 people and destroying the majority of the capital Port-au-Prince

  3. "Easy Rider" director and actor Dennis Hopper (73) divorces his fifth wife Victoria Duffy due to irreconcilable differen

    "Easy Rider" director and actor Dennis Hopper (73) divorces his fifth wife Victoria Duffy due to irreconcilable differences and out-of-control spending

  4. Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo (46) divorces Lord of Tejada, Jaime de Marichalar (46) after 15 years of marriage

    Infanta Elena, Duchess of Lugo (46) divorces Lord of Tejada, Jaime de Marichalar (46) after 15 years of marriage

  5. Alexandre Bilodeau wins the gold medal in the freestyle skiing men's moguls event, becoming the first Canadian to win go

    Alexandre Bilodeau wins the gold medal in the freestyle skiing men's moguls event, becoming the first Canadian to win gold during an Olympic Games hosted in Canada

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 1, 2009?
NATO is a military alliance of thirty-two European and North American countries that constitutes a system of collective defense. The process of joining the alliance is governed by Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which allows for the invitation of "other European States" only and by subsequent agreements. Countries wishing to join must meet certain requirements and complete a multi-step process involving political dialogue and military integration.
Why is Croatia and Albania join NATO significant?
NATO is a military alliance of thirty-two European and North American countries that constitutes a system of collective defense.

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