New York's 34th Street block named after Estonia's most distinguished diplomat
A ceremony was held on November 18th in New York City to unveil a new street sign in honor of a long-time Estonian diplomat who manned Estonia's U.S. consulate throughout the Soviet occupation, becoming the world's longest serving diplomat.
Ernst Jaakson was born on August 11, 1905, in Riga. He began working at the Estonian Embassy in Riga at the age of 14 and continued his service in Estonia's foreign service until his death on September 3, 1999.
Jaakson's greatest achievement was safeguarding the legal continuity of the Republic of Estonia during the years of Soviet occupation. He continued his work at the Estonian Consulate General in New York, maintained close ties with leading U.S. politicians and the Estonian diaspora.
Following the restoration of Estonia's independence in 1991, he was appointed at the age of 86 as Estonia's Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
With a career spanning 79 years, he is regarded as the world's longest-serving diplomat.
