The World Constitutional Convention (WCC) , also known as the World Constituent Assembly (WCA) or the First World Constituent Assembly, took place in Interlaken , Switzerland and Wolfach , Germany, 1968. The convention aimed to foster global cooperation and world peace through the development of a World constitution and establishment of a democratic federal world government .
112-640: The initiative to convene the convention was led by World Constitution Coordinating Committee , who sought support from notable individuals around the world. The "Call to all nations," an appeal signed by prominent figures, urged countries to send delegates to Geneva for the historic World Constitutional Convention. Several Nobel laureates were among the notable signatories of the call. Other notable figures such as Edward Condon , Edris Rice-Wray Carson , and Martin Luther King Jr. endorsed it as well. Hundreds of participants from various countries attended
224-519: A US Commission on Civil Rights of hearing that of 31,000 homes that had recently sprung up in this neighborhood, not a single one had been sold to an African-American. Phoenix's African-American and Mexican-American communities remained largely sequestered on the south side of town. The color lines were so rigid that no one north of Van Buren Street would rent to the African-American baseball star Willie Mays , in town for spring training in
336-484: A constitutional convention to develop a world constitution had been discussed and planned by various groups since the early 20th century. In 1937, the Campaign for World Government (CWG) was established to promote the idea of governments taking the initiative to organize a World Constitutional Convention. Despite introducing bills in various parliaments, tangible support for the convention did not materialize. In
448-641: A hot desert climate ( Köppen: BWh ), typical of the Sonoran Desert , and is the largest city in America in this climatic zone. Phoenix has long, extremely hot summers and short, mild winters. The city is within one of the world's sunniest regions, with its sunshine duration comparable to the Sahara region. With 3,872 hours of bright sunshine annually, Phoenix receives the most sunshine of any major city on Earth. Average high temperatures in summer are
560-535: A 'Proposal for Immediate Action' which was adopted in 1971. From December 28, 1971, to January 2, 1972, the Emergency Council convened in Santa Barbara , California, US. The Emergency Council issued several decrees: The Council terminated deliberations on January 2, 1972, with covering other possible actions covering environmental problems, pressing social and economical issues. At Santa Barbara,
672-538: A Judge of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh , Dr. T. P. Amerasinghe, a Barrister-at-Law and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka , and Philip Isely , the Secretary General of WCPA, joined forces to work on the constitution during January and February of 1972. Their efforts were based on Philip Isely's 19-page outline of the draft. In November 1974, the initial draft titled "A Constitution for
784-480: A commission was established to draft a democratic federal world constitution, under the chairmanship of Philip Isely . Isely's commission prepared the "Declaration of Wolfach". The renamed World Committee for a World Constitutional Convention (WCWCC), World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA) organized an Emergency Council of World Trustees (ECWT) during 1969 and 1971. Philip Isely , secretary of E.C.W.T., in consultation with Thane Read and Lloyd Oxley draw
896-800: A comprehensive plan for the World Constitutional Convention. In 1968, 200 delegates representing 27 countries from five continents met for the World Constitutional Convention and Peoples World Parliament at the Theatre Hall of the Congress Kursaal in Interlaken , Switzerland, on August, 27, 1968 to draft a constitution for a federal world government . The event commenced on August 27, and on September 2, 1968, sessions moved to Wolfach , Germany, where it concluded on September 12, 1968. The largest delegations to
1008-452: A duel; Chenowth killed Favorite and was forced to withdraw from the race. The town grew during the 1870s, and President Ulysses S. Grant issued a land patent for the site of Phoenix on April 10, 1874. By 1875, the town had a telegraph office, 16 saloons, and four dance halls, but the townsite-commissioner form of government needed an overhaul. An election was held in 1875, and three village trustees and other officials were elected. By 1880,
1120-561: A four percent annual population growth rate over a 40-year period from the mid-1960s to the mid-2000s, and was among the nation's ten most populous cities by 1980. Phoenix is also one of the largest plurality-Hispanic cities in the United States, with 42% of its population being Hispanic . The Hohokam people occupied the Phoenix area for 2,000 years. They created roughly 135 miles (217 kilometers) of irrigation canals, making
1232-551: A fungal lung infection. Unlike most desert locations which have drastic fluctuations between day and nighttime temperatures, the urban heat island effect limits Phoenix's diurnal temperature variation . As the city has expanded, average summer low temperatures have been steadily rising. Pavement, sidewalks, and buildings store the Sun's heat and radiate it at night. The daily normal low remains at or above 80 °F (27 °C) for an average of 74 days per summer. On July 19, 2023, at
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#17327758735041344-508: A grid layout pattern that has been the hallmark of Phoenix's urban development ever since. On February 12, 1871, the territorial legislature created Maricopa County by dividing Yavapai County; it was the sixth one formed in the Arizona Territory. The first election for county office was held in 1871 when Tom Barnum was elected the first sheriff. He ran unopposed when the other two candidates (John A. Chenowth and Jim Favorite) fought
1456-586: A growth rate under 24% in a census decade. However, in 2016, Phoenix once again became the fastest growing city in the United States, adding approximately 88 people per day during the preceding year. The Phoenix Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) (officially known as the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler MSA ), is one of 10 MSAs in Arizona, and was the 11th largest in the United States, with a 2018 U.S. census population estimate of 4,857,962, up from
1568-466: A joint congressional resolution granting statehood to Arizona, due to his disapproval of the state constitution's position on the recall of judges. In 1913, Phoenix's move from a mayor-council system to council-manager made it one of the first cities in the United States with this form of city government. After statehood, Phoenix's growth started to accelerate; eight years later, its population reached 29,053. In 1920, Phoenix would see its first skyscraper,
1680-402: A long drought, and the reservoir which was supposed to be behind the dam was virtually dry. The humorist Will Rogers , who was on hand as a guest speaker joked, "If that was my lake, I'd mow it." Phoenix's population had nearly doubled during the 1920s and by 1930 stood at 48,118. It was also during the 1930s that Phoenix and its surrounding area began to be called "The Valley of the Sun", which
1792-400: A means to foster global cooperation and peace through the establishment of a democratic federal world government . He initiated the "Call to all nations," an appeal signed by individuals from around the world, urging countries to send delegates to Geneva for a World Constitutional Convention. The primary objective of this convention was to draft a constitution that would pave the way for
1904-815: A multitude of dedicated delegates from more than 25 countries gathered, and among them were prominent individuals from India, such as R. K. Nehru , former Secretary-General of the Ministry of External Affairs of India ; Godey Murahari , who later became the Speaker of the Rajya Sabha ; D. H. Spencer, a renowned constitutional lawyer ; and Dr. T. P. Amerasinghe, a Barrister-at-Law from Sri Lanka. Other notable delegates included Reinhart Ruge from Mexico, Dr. Lucile Green from California, US, Mrs. Helen Tucker from Canada, Thane Read from Arizona, US, Archie Casely-Hayford from Ghana, Hon. Syed Mohamed Husain later Judge of
2016-409: A myriad of residential tract developments on both farmland and desert." Retail outlets and office complexes spread out and did not concentrate in the small downtown area. There was low population density and a lack of widespread and significant high-rise development. As a consequence Phoenix became a textbook case of urban sprawl for geographers. Even though it is the fifth most populated city in
2128-686: A planning committee appointed directly by the city council. According to the city-issued village planning handbook, the purpose of the village planning committees is to "work with the city's planning commission to ensure a balance of housing and employment in each village, concentrate development at identified village cores, and to promote the unique character and identity of the villages." There are 15 urban villages: Ahwatukee Foothills , Alhambra , Camelback East , Central City , Deer Valley , Desert View, Encanto , Estrella , Laveen , Maryvale , North Gateway, North Mountain, Paradise Valley, Rio Vista , and South Mountain. The urban village of Paradise Valley
2240-426: A population of nearly 1.6 million, and millions more in nearby suburbs. After the war, many of the men who had undergone their training in Arizona returned with their new families. Learning of this large untapped labor pool enticed many large industries to move their operations to the area. In 1948, high-tech industry, which would become a staple of the state's economy, arrived in Phoenix when Motorola chose Phoenix as
2352-755: A representative parliament representing all of humanity. Joining Read in his mission were Janet Frenzel, Lloyd D. Oxley, Evelyn Martin, and Morikatsu Inagaki, who collectively established an office in Phoenix , Arizona, US, as the World Constitution Coordinating Committee, to garner support for the proposed World Constitutional Convention. The committee engaged in extensive communication efforts with governments, religious institutions, educational societies, political parties, labor unions, and various organizations capable of effecting change, seeking their collaboration in advocating for
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#17327758735042464-427: A significant roles in development of the world constitution. In 1966, World Committee for a World Constitutional Convention (WCWCC) was again renamed as World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA). A consultative council for the World Constitutional Convention was also established in 1967, whose task was to engage in research and provide advice on specific topics connected with the drafting and ratification of
2576-473: A similar vein, the Henry Usborne 's " Peoples' World Convention Plan" was launched, garnering approval from notable personalities like Albert Einstein , Boyd-Orr , Radhakrishnan , Albert Camus , Jacques Maritain , and Thomas Mann . This plan aimed to secure democratic elections in every country for delegates to a world convention . Although the plans were successful in 1950-51, no work was done for
2688-474: A world convention to draft a constitution for a democratic federal World Government. The proposed constitution would then be submitted to all nations for ratification , leading to the establishment of a representative parliament for humanity. In 1962, Thane Read was joinned by the individual like Janet Frenzel, Lloyd D. Oxley, Evelyn Martin and Morikatsu Inagaki. Together they established there office in Phoenix , Arizona, US. The committee's central purpose
2800-478: Is 7.22 in (183 mm). The region's trademark dry and sunny weather is interrupted by sporadic Pacific storms in the winter and the arrival of the North American monsoon in the summer. Historically, the monsoon officially started when the average dew point was 55 °F (13 °C) for three days in a row—typically occurring in early July. To increase monsoon awareness and promote safety, however,
2912-632: Is also home to a plethora of native reptile species including the Western diamondback rattlesnake , Sonoran sidewinder , several other types of rattlesnakes, Sonoran coral snake , dozens of species of non-venomous snakes (including the Sonoran gopher snake and the California kingsnake ), the gila monster , desert spiny lizard , several types of whiptail lizards , the chuckwalla , desert horned lizard , western banded gecko , Sonora mud turtle , and
3024-418: Is distinct from the nearby Town of Paradise Valley . Although the urban village is part of Phoenix, the town is independent. In addition to the above urban villages, Phoenix has a variety of commonly referred-to regions and districts, such as Downtown , Midtown , Uptown, West Phoenix, North Phoenix , South Phoenix , Biltmore Area , Arcadia , and Sunnyslope . While some of the native flora and fauna of
3136-499: Is home to the only thriving feral population of rosy-faced lovebirds in the U.S. This bird is a popular birdcage pet, native to southwestern Africa. Feral birds were first observed living outdoors in 1987, probably escaped or released pets, and by 2010 the Greater Phoenix population had grown to about 950 birds. These lovebirds prefer older neighborhoods where they nest under untrimmed, dead palm tree fronds. The area
3248-561: Is in the mid-to-low 30s. It rarely drops to 32 °F (0 °C) or below. Snow is rare. In July 2023, it became the first major city in the US to have an average monthly temperature of over 100 °F (38 °C) with an average daily mean temperature for the month at 102.7 °F (39 °C), which is also the hottest month ever recorded in the city. That same month the city had an unprecedented streak of 31 days with 110 °F (43 °C)+ highs that lasted from June 30 to July 30. That year
3360-538: Is in the south-central portion of Arizona; about halfway between Tucson to the southeast and Flagstaff to the north, in the Southwestern United States . By car, the city is approximately 150 miles (240 kilometers) north of the US–Mexico border at Sonoyta and 180 mi (290 km) north of the border at Nogales . The metropolitan area is known as the "Valley of the Sun" due to its location in
3472-605: Is so common, nearly all homes in Phoenix have air conditioning , though poorer residents may not be able to afford to repair or operate them when needed. Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, was ranked seventh for most ozone pollution in the United States according to the American Lung Association . Vehicle emissions are cited as precursors to ozone formation. Phoenix also has high levels of particulate pollution; although, cities in California lead
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3584-400: Is the 10th-largest by population in the United States with approximately 4.95 million people as of 2020 , making it the most populous in the Southwestern United States . Phoenix, the seat of Maricopa County , is the largest city by population and area in Arizona, with an area of 517.9 square miles (1,341 km ), and is also the 11th-largest city by area in the United States. Phoenix
3696-546: Is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona , with 1,662,607 residents as of 2024. It is the fifth-most populous city in the United States and the most populous state capital in the country. Phoenix is the most populous city of the Phoenix metropolitan area , also known as the Valley of the Sun, which in turn is part of the Salt River Valley and Arizona Sun Corridor . The metro area
3808-469: Is the presence of Africanized bees which can be extremely dangerous—even lethal—when provoked. The Arizona Upland subdivision of the Sonoran Desert (of which Phoenix is a part) has "the most structurally diverse flora in the United States." One of the most well-known types of succulents, the giant saguaro cactus , is found throughout the city and its neighboring environs. Other native species are
3920-798: The Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum opened at the Arizona State Fairgrounds , west of downtown. When Phoenix was awarded an NBA franchise in 1968, which would be called the Phoenix Suns , they played their home games at the Coliseum until 1992, after which they moved to America West Arena . In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson approved the Central Arizona Project , assuring future water supplies for Phoenix, Tucson, and
4032-524: The Carnegie Free Library opened seven years later, on February 18, 1908, dedicated by Benjamin Fowler. The National Reclamation Act was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1902, which allowed dams to be built on waterways in the west for reclamation purposes. The first dam constructed under the act, Salt River Dam#1 , began in 1903. It supplied both water and electricity, becoming
4144-819: The First National Bank Plaza , the Valley Center (the tallest building in Arizona), and the Arizona Bank building . On September 25, 1981, Phoenix resident Sandra Day O'Connor broke the gender barrier on the U.S. Supreme Court , when she was sworn in as the first female justice. In 1985, the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station , the nation's largest nuclear power plant, began electrical production. Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa both visited
4256-663: The Heard Building ; it was the tallest building in the state until the completion of the Luhrs Building in 1924. In 1929, Sky Harbor was officially opened, at the time owned by Scenic Airways . The city purchased it in 1935 and continues to operate it today. On March 4, 1930, former U.S. President Calvin Coolidge dedicated a dam on the Gila River named in his honor. However, the state had just been through
4368-459: The Santa Fe, Prescott and Phoenix Railway in 1895 connected Phoenix to Prescott, Flagstaff, and other communities in the northern part of the territory. The increased access to commerce expedited the city's economic rise. The Phoenix Union High School was established in 1895 with an enrollment of 90. On February 25, 1901, Governor Oakes Murphy dedicated the permanent Capitol building , and
4480-505: The Sonoran Desert can be found within Phoenix city limits, most are found in the suburbs and the undeveloped desert areas that surround the city. Native mammal species include coyote , javelina , bobcat , mountain lion , desert cottontail rabbit , jackrabbit , antelope ground squirrel , mule deer , ringtail , coati , and multiple species of bats, such as the Mexican free-tailed bat and western pipistrelle , that roost in and around
4592-772: The Supreme Court of Bangladesh , Dr. Charles Mercieca from Malta and the USA, and Jorgen Laursen Vig from Denmark. Together, a total of 229 representatives from 54 countries joined forces to sign "The First Decree for the Protection of Life". As in 1968, the World Constitutional Convention and Peoples World Parliament held sessions in Interlaken and Wolfach initiating the task of formulating a constitution. The drafting commission, consisting of D. M. Spencer, an esteemed Constitutional Lawyer and Professor from Sydenham College, Bombay , Hon. Syed Mohammed Husain, an Advocate who later became
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4704-638: The White Tank Mountains to the west, the Superstition Mountains far to the east, and both South Mountain and the Sierra Estrella to the south/southwest. Camelback Mountain , North Mountain, Sunnyslope Mountain , and Piestewa Peak are within the heart of the valley. The city's outskirts have large fields of irrigated cropland and Native American reservation lands. The Salt River runs westward through Phoenix, but
4816-552: The desert tortoise . Native amphibian species include the Couch's spadefoot toad , Chiricahua leopard frog , and the Sonoran desert toad . Phoenix and the surrounding areas are also home to a wide variety of native invertebrates including the Arizona bark scorpion , giant desert hairy scorpion , Arizona blond tarantula , Sonoran Desert centipede , tarantula hawk wasp , camel spider , and tailless whip scorpion . Of great concern
4928-669: The organpipe , barrel , fishhook , senita , prickly pear and cholla cacti; ocotillo ; Palo Verde trees and foothill and blue paloverde ; California fan palm ; agaves ; soaptree yucca , Spanish bayonet , desert spoon , and red yucca ; ironwood ; mesquite ; and the creosote bush . Many non-native plants also thrive in Phoenix including, but not limited to, the date palm , Mexican fan palm , pineapple palm , Afghan pine , Canary Island pine , Mexican fencepost cactus , cardon cactus , acacia , eucalyptus , aloe , bougainvillea , oleander , lantana , bottlebrush , olive , citrus , and red bird of paradise . Phoenix has
5040-481: The "Five C's" anchoring Phoenix's economy. These remained the driving forces of the city until after World War II , when high-tech companies began to move into the valley and air conditioning made Phoenix's hot summers more bearable. Phoenix is the cultural center of Arizona. It is in the northeastern reaches of the Sonoran Desert and is known for its hot desert climate . The region's gross domestic product reached over $ 362 billion by 2022. The city averaged
5152-620: The 1960s, with tourism becoming the third largest industry by the end of the decade. In 1965, the Phoenix Corporate Center opened; at the time it was the tallest building in Arizona, topping off at 341 feet. The 1960s saw many other buildings constructed as the city expanded rapidly, including the Rosenzweig Center (1964), today called Phoenix City Square , the landmark Phoenix Financial Center (1964), as well as many of Phoenix's residential high-rises. In 1965
5264-432: The 1960s. In 1964, a reporter from The New Republic wrote of segregation in these terms: "Apartheid is complete. The two cities look at each other across a golf course." The continued rapid population growth led more businesses to the valley to take advantage of the labor pool, and manufacturing, particularly in the electronics sector, continued to grow. The convention and tourism industries saw rapid expansion during
5376-421: The 2000 census (a total of 124,000 people), while the entire Phoenix metropolitan area grew by 28.9% during the same period. This compares with an overall growth rate nationally during the same time frame of 9.7%. Not since 1940–50, when the city had a population of 107,000, had the city gained less than 124,000 in a decade. Phoenix's recent growth rate of 9.4% from the 2010 census is the first time it has recorded
5488-549: The 2010 census population of 4,192,887. Consisting of both Pinal and Maricopa counties, the MSA accounts for 65.5% of Arizona's population. Phoenix only contributed 13% to the total growth rate of the MSA, down significantly from its 33% share during the prior decade. Phoenix is also part of the Arizona Sun Corridor megaregion (MR), which is the tenth most populous of the 11 MRs, and the eighth largest by area. It had
5600-528: The Call. Other advocates include Edward Condon , Edris Rice-Wray Carson , Harlow Shapley , Jean Orcel , Priyadaranjan Ray , René Dumont , Wilder Penfield , Brock Chisholm , Hugh B. Hester , David Alfaro Siqueiros , Lloyd Morain , Stuart Hall , Tamaki Uemura and many more. Till 1963, World Constitutional Convention call had signatories numbering 1000 from 55 countries. This list of distinguished signatories grew larger in following years. In result of
5712-1174: The Call. The committee engaged in extensive communication efforts with governments, urging them to participate actively in the constitutional convention . Additionally, they reached out to religious institutions , educational societies , political parties, labor unions , peace groups , and other organizations capable of taking action, seeking their support and collaboration in promoting the convention. Other individuals like Philip Isely , Margaret Isely , Georgia Lloyd and groups also worked towards garnering support for this joint appeal. The "Call to all Nations" for World Constitutional Convention received support from several notable individuals. Notable signatories include Albert Szent-Györgyi , Frederick Sanger , Alfred Kastler , C. F. Powell , Max Born , Bertrand Russell , John Boyd Orr , Joseph Rotblat and Linus Pauling . Eminent leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. , Muhammad Ayub Khan , President of Pakistan ; Francisco J. Orlich , President of Costa Rica ; Milton Margoi , Prime Minister of Sierra Leone ; Leopold Senghor , President of Senegal ; Julius Nyerere , Prime Minister of Tanzania also endorsed
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#17327758735045824-614: The Convention and Peoples Parliament comprised representatives from the United States of America, France, India, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and West Germany. Additionally, participants from Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Canada, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Colombia, Finland, Ghana, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Senegal, and Thailand were in attendance. Delegates from Czechoslovakia and Eastern Europe were unable to partake in
5936-770: The Federation of Earth" was ultimately finished, published and circulated globally by WCPA for assessment, along with the Call to the second session in 1977. During 1974 and 1975, the WCPA received feedback and comments on the first draft. In 1976, the drafting commission reconvened and finalized a second draft, which was then circulated world-wide for by the WCPA. The second session of the World Constituent Assembly took place in Innsbruck , Austria, from June 16 to June 29, 1977, at Kongresshaus . The assembly
6048-697: The Federation of Earth' has undergone further amendments through two additional sessions of the World Constituent Assemblies in 1978-79 and 1991. Furthermore, a Provisional Earth Federation with a Provisional World Parliament has been established, holding fifteen sessions of the parliament since 1982, with the last one taking place in 2021. As of 2023, the developed constitution has been personally ratified by many individuals worldwide, but has not received ratification from any country. World Constitution Coordinating Committee The World Constitution Coordinating Committee (WCCC)
6160-697: The Gila River Valley, from Florence in the east to the Estrellas in the west. Their crops included corn, beans, and squash for food as well as cotton and tobacco. They banded with the Maricopa for protection against incursions by the Yuma and Apache tribes. The Maricopa are part of the larger Yuma people; however, they migrated east from the lower Colorado and Gila Rivers in the early 1800s, when they began to be enemies with other Yuma tribes, settling among
6272-518: The Hohokam. Other nearby settlements later merged to become the city of Tempe . The history of Phoenix begins with Jack Swilling , a Confederate veteran of the Civil War who prospected in the nearby mining town of Wickenburg in the newly formed Arizona Territory . As he traveled through the Salt River Valley in 1867, he saw a potential for farming to supply Wickenburg with food. He also noted
6384-497: The National Weather Service decreed that starting in 2008, June 15 would be the official "first day" of the monsoon, and it would end on September 30. When active, the monsoon raises humidity levels and can cause heavy localized precipitation, flash floods, hail, destructive winds, and dust storms —which can rise to the level of a haboob in some years. As of 2020, Phoenix was the fifth most populous city in
6496-510: The Peoples' World Convention (PWC) also known as Peoples' World Constituent Assembly (PWCA), which took place in 1950–51 and later continued in the form of world constituent assemblies in 1968, 1977, 1978-79, and 1991. 500 people from 45 countries attended the Peoples' World Convention (PWC) at Palais Electoral, Geneva , Switzerland from December 30, 1950 to January 5, 1951. In 1958, Thane Read , an independent U.S. economist, decided to consider
6608-582: The Phoenix Concept 2000 plan which split the city into urban villages, each with its own village core where greater height and density was permitted, further shaping the free-market development culture. The nine original villages have expanded to 15 over the years (see Cityscape below). This officially turned Phoenix into a city of many nodes, which would later be connected by freeways. The Phoenix Symphony Hall opened in 1972; other major structures which saw construction downtown during this decade were
6720-469: The Salt River Valley. It lies at a mean elevation of 1,086 feet (331 m), in the northern reaches of the Sonoran Desert . Other than the mountains in and around the city, Phoenix's topography is generally flat, which allows the city's main streets to run on a precise grid with wide, open-spaced roadways. Scattered, low mountain ranges surround the valley: McDowell Mountains to the northeast,
6832-476: The United States , with the census bureau placing its population at 1,608,139, edging out Philadelphia with a population of 1,567,872. In the aftermath of the Great Recession, Phoenix had a population of 1,445,632 according to the 2010 United States census , the sixth largest city and still the most populous state capital in the United States. Prior to the Great Recession, in 2006, Phoenix's population
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#17327758735046944-436: The United States, the large area gives it a low density rate of approximately 2,797 people per square mile. In comparison, Philadelphia , the sixth most populous city with nearly the same population as Phoenix, has a density of over 11,000 people per square mile. Like most of Arizona, Phoenix does not observe daylight saving time . In 1973, Governor Jack Williams argued to the U.S. Congress that energy use would increase in
7056-518: The Valley in 1987. There was an influx of refugees due to low-cost housing in the Sunnyslope area in the 1990s, resulting in 43 different languages being spoken in local schools by 2000. The new 20-story City Hall opened in 1992. Phoenix has maintained a growth streak in recent years, growing by 24.2% before 2007. This made it the second-fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States, surpassed only by Las Vegas . In 2008, Squaw Peak,
7168-498: The WCPA issued a call for ratification, urging nations and peoples of Earth to endorse the constitution and copies of the prepared constitution were sent to various entities, including the United Nations , national governments , and universities, seeking their support and cooperation in the ratification process. The constitution had not been ratified by any country as of 2024. Albert Einstein grew increasingly convinced that
7280-626: The World Constitution. Max Habicht was the organizing chairman of the consultative council. Later, in late 1972, Consultative Council to the World Constitutional Convention (CCWCC) was succeeded by World Federal Authority Committee (WFAC). In 1963, the first Preparatory Congress took place at the Denver Hilton Hotel in Denver , Colorado, US, from September 3 to 8. World Committee for a World Constitutional Convention (WCWCC)
7392-489: The World Constitutional Convention and Peoples World Parliament. The delegates present at Milan debated whether delegates from national governments alone or delegates representing the peoples of the world should have the upper hand at the World Constituent Convention or Assembly. A decision to hold Peoples World Parliaments concurrently with preparatory congresses of delegates from national governments
7504-527: The agricultural corridor between them. The following year, Pope Paul VI created the Diocese of Phoenix on December 2, by splitting the Archdiocese of Tucson, with Edward A. McCarthy as the first Bishop. In the 1970s the downtown area experienced a resurgence, with a level of construction activity not seen again until the urban real estate boom of the 2000s. By the end of the decade, Phoenix adopted
7616-581: The area. After the departure of the Hohokam, groups of Akimel O'odham (commonly known as Pima), Tohono O'odham , and Maricopa tribes began to use the area, as well as segments of the Yavapai and Apache. The O'odham were offshoots of the Sobaipuri tribe, who in turn were thought to be the descendants of the Hohokam. The Akimel O'odham were the major group in the area. They lived in small villages with well-defined irrigation systems that spread over
7728-741: The call adoption, the World Constitutional Convention and the Peoples World Parliament were held in Interlaken , Switzerland , and Wolfach , Germany, in 1968. Over 200 participants from 27 countries attended these sessions, where the drafting of a world constitution for a global federal world government began. This would later lead to the development of the Constitution for the Federation of Earth . Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix ( / ˈ f iː n ɪ k s / FEE -niks )
7840-435: The call for a World Constitutional Convention gained momentum, an U.S. Committee for a World Constitutional Convention was formed in 1958 later renamed as World Committee for a World Constitutional Convention (WCWCC) in 1959 with Philip Isely as Secretary. With established headquarters in Denver, Colorado in 1961, World Committee also issued calls to support the World Constitution Coordinating Committee (WCCC) and later played
7952-599: The city also had a record 55 days of daily highs topping 110 °F (43 °C)+, which also made summer of 2023 the hottest on record there, until it was beaten by the summer of 2024 with the hottest ever June at 97.0 °F (36 °C), the third hottest august August at 98.7 °F (37 °C) and the 2nd hottest July record at 101.1 °F (38 °C) by average daily temperature respectively. That same year in 2024, it also recorded an unprecedented 113 day streak of daily highs topping 100 °F (38 °C)+ that lasted from May 27 to September 16. Because extreme heat
8064-416: The city's second tallest mountain, was renamed Piestewa Peak after Army Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa , an Arizonan and the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving in the U.S. military, as well as being the first American female casualty of the 2003 Iraq War . 2008 also saw Phoenix as one of the cities hardest hit by the subprime mortgage crisis , and by early 2009 the median home price
8176-444: The city. There are many species of native birds, including Costa's hummingbird , Anna's hummingbird , Gambel's quail , Gila woodpecker , mourning dove , white-winged dove , the greater roadrunner , the cactus wren , and many species of raptors, including falcons , hawks , owls , vultures (such as the turkey vulture and black vulture ), and eagles , including the golden and the bald eagle . The greater Phoenix region
8288-546: The constitution. The WCPA proactively sent copies of the constitution to the United Nations , Members of the General Assembly , and national Governments , requesting their support and cooperation in the ratification process. The call requested: (a) people of Earth to ratify the Constitution by direct referendum and by an initiative petition followed by election of delegates to the 'House of Peoples'; (b)
8400-405: The convention in 1968, where a proposed constitution was drafted. The World Committee for a World Constitutional Convention , subsequently renamed the World Constitution and Parliament Association, later organized a Second World Constituent Assembly in Innsbruck , Austria, in 1977. During the 1977 assembly, the delegates adopted the " Constitution for the Federation of Earth ". After its adoption,
8512-429: The convention. The appeal received overwhelming support from prominent individuals across diverse fields and countries. Nobel laureates, including Albert Szent-Györgyi , Linus Pauling , and Bertrand Russell , endorsed the Call, alongside eminent leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. , President of Pakistan Muhammad Ayub Khan , and President of Costa Rica Francisco J. Orlich and many more. This widespread support set
8624-576: The desert land arable, and paths of these canals were used for the Arizona Canal , Central Arizona Project Canal, and the Hayden-Rhodes Aqueduct . They also carried out extensive trade with the nearby Ancient Puebloans , Mogollon , and Sinagua , as well as with the more distant Mesoamerican civilizations. It is believed periods of drought and severe floods between 1300 and 1450 led to the Hohokam civilization's abandonment of
8736-423: The development of the world constitution . It was decided that work on the world constitution would be carried out in upcoming world constituent assemblies . In year 1958, Thane Read , an independent U.S. economist, began cultivating a joint appeal by renowned individuals from around the world, which culminated in the issuance of the "Call to all nations". The Call urged nations to send delegates to Geneva to
8848-422: The draft constitution on 27 June 1977, signifying a momentous step forward for humanity's quest for a global governance framework. Dr. A. B. Patel described the occasion "as the day of a new age" and called for all those present to come up to the stage and affix their signatures to the Constitution. Following the assembly's success, a call for Ratification was issued, urging nations and peoples of Earth to endorse
8960-509: The eroded mounds of dirt that indicated previous canals dug by native peoples who had long since left the area. He formed the Swilling Irrigation and Canal Company that year, dug a large canal that drew in river water, and erected several crop fields in a location that is now within the eastern portion of central Phoenix near its airport. Other settlers soon began to arrive, appreciating the area's fertile soil and lack of frost, and
9072-476: The evening should Arizona observe DST. He went on to say energy use would also rise early in the day "because there would be more lights on in the early morning." Additionally, he said daylight saving time would cause children to go to school in the dark. Since 1979, the city of Phoenix has been divided into urban villages , many of which are based upon historically significant neighborhoods and communities that have since been annexed into Phoenix. Each village has
9184-465: The event as soviet Troops suddenly invaded Czechoslovakia. Among the delegates, notable figures such as Abbe Piere , Althya Youngman, Ahmed Jaffer , Elisabeth Mann Borgese , Gonzalo Fernós López, Henri Huber, Kurt Bortner, Martin Niemoller , Max Habicht, Onkar Nath , Oskar Jedzini, Philip Isely , R.K. Nehru , Theo Pontzen and Chief W. J. Falaiye, to name a few, were present. In Wolfach, Germany,
9296-639: The existing communities of the Akimel O'odham. The Tohono O'odham also lived in the region, but largely to the south and all the way to the Mexican border. The O'odham lived in small settlements as seasonal farmers who took advantage of the rains, rather than the large-scale irrigation of the Akimel. They grew crops such as sweet corn, tapery beans, squash, lentils, sugar cane, and melons, as well as taking advantage of native plants such as saguaro fruits, cholla buds, mesquite tree beans, and mesquite candy (sap from
9408-402: The extreme heat experienced in Phoenix and the surrounding areas during its long summers. There was more new construction in Phoenix in 1959 alone than from 1914 to 1946. Like many emerging American cities at the time, Phoenix's spectacular growth did not occur evenly. It largely took place on the city's north side, a region that was nearly all Caucasian. In 1962, one local activist testified at
9520-528: The farmhouse Swilling constructed became a frequently-visited location in the valley. Lord Darrell Duppa was one of the original settlers in Swilling's party, and he suggested the name "Phoenix", as it described a city born from the ruins of a former civilization. The Board of Supervisors in Yavapai County officially recognized the new town on May 4, 1868, and the first post office was established
9632-555: The first multi-purpose dam, and Roosevelt attended the official dedication on May 18, 1911. At the time, it was the largest masonry dam in the world, forming a lake in the mountains east of Phoenix. The dam would be renamed after Teddy Roosevelt in 1917, and the lake would follow suit in 1959. On February 14, 1912, Phoenix became a state capital, as Arizona was admitted to the Union as the 48th state under President William Howard Taft . This occurred just six months after Taft had vetoed
9744-458: The following month with Swilling as the postmaster. In October 1870, valley residents met to select a new townsite for the valley's growing population. A new location three miles to the west of the original settlement, containing several allotments of farmland, was chosen, and lots began to officially be sold under the name of Phoenix in December of that year. This established the downtown core in
9856-533: The groundwork for the formal proceedings of the Convention and generated widespread interest in the prospect of creating a democratic federal World Government. Till that time World Constitutional Convention call had signatories numbering 1000 from 55 countries. In 1965, the second Preparatory Congress or Milan Congress was convened with the co-operation of Mary Tibaldi Chiesa in Milan, Italy. During this congress, specific terms and guidelines were established to commence
9968-424: The height of an unprecedent heatwave that caused daily highs to top 110 °F (43 °C) or higher that lasted for 31 days straight, Phoenix set its record for the warmest daily low temperature, at 97 °F (36 °C). The city averages approximately 300 days of sunshine, or over 85% of daylight hours, per year, and receives scant rainfall―the average annual total at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
10080-421: The hottest of any major city in the United States. On average, there are 111 days annually with a high of at least 100 °F (38 °C), including most days from the end of May through late September. Highs top 110 °F (43 °C) an average of 21 days during the year. On June 26, 1990, the temperature reached an all-time recorded high of 122 °F (50 °C). The annual minimum temperature in Phoenix
10192-535: The mesquite tree). They also hunted local game such as deer, rabbit, and javelina for meat. The Mexican–American War ended in 1848, Mexico ceded its northern zone to the United States, and the region's residents became U.S. citizens. The Phoenix area became part of the New Mexico Territory . In 1863, the mining town of Wickenburg was the first to be established in Maricopa County, to
10304-417: The nation in this hazard. PM2.5 particulate matter, which is a component of diesel engine exhaust, and larger PM10 particles, which can come from dust, can both reach concerning levels in Phoenix. In fact, people, pets, and other animals exposed to high concentrations of PM10 dust particles―primarily from dust storms or from disturbed agricultural or construction sites―are at risk of contracting Valley Fever ,
10416-505: The national governments and legislatures of the world to ratify the Constitution and elect delegates to the 'House of Nations'; and (c) the universities, Colleges, Churches, Scientific Academies and Institutes to ratify the Constitution and nominate delegates with a world view as candidates for election to the 'House of Councillors'. Since the Second World Constituent Assembly of 1977, the 'Constitution for
10528-592: The northwest of Phoenix. Maricopa County had not been incorporated; the land was within Yavapai County , which included the major town of Prescott to the north of Wickenburg. The Army created Fort McDowell on the Verde River in 1865 to forestall Indian uprisings. The fort established a camp on the south side of the Salt River by 1866, which was the first settlement in the valley after the decline of
10640-698: The riverbed is often dry or contains little water due to large irrigation diversions. South Mountain separates the community of Ahwatukee from the rest of the city. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 517.9 sq mi (1,341 km ), of which 516.7 sq mi (1,338 km ) is land and 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km ), or 0.2%, is water. Maricopa County grew by 711% from 186,000 in 1940 to 1,509,000 by 1980, due in part to air conditioning, cheap housing, and an influx of retirees. The once "modest urban sprawl" now "grew by 'epic' proportions—not only
10752-455: The site of its new research and development center for military electronics. Seeing the same advantages as Motorola, other high-tech companies, such as Intel and McDonnell Douglas , moved into the valley and opened manufacturing operations. By 1950, over 105,000 people resided in the city and thousands more in surrounding communities. The 1950s growth was spurred on by advances in air conditioning, which allowed homes and businesses to offset
10864-537: The stage for the World Constitutional Convention and the Peoples World Parliament, held in Interlaken , Switzerland, and Wolfach , Germany, in 1968. Attended by over 200 participants from 27 countries, these sessions marked the beginning of drafting a world constitution for a global federal government, ultimately leading to the development of the Constitution for the Federation of Earth . As
10976-482: The town's population stood at 2,453. By 1881, Phoenix's continued growth made the board of trustees obsolete. The Territorial Legislature passed the Phoenix Charter Bill, incorporating Phoenix and providing a mayor-council government; Governor John C. Fremont signed the bill on February 25, 1881, officially incorporating Phoenix as a city with a population of around 2,500. The railroad's arrival in
11088-558: The valley in the 1880s was the first of several events that made Phoenix a trade center whose products reached eastern and western markets. In response, the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce was organized on November 4, 1888. The city offices moved into the new City Hall at Washington and Central in 1888. The territorial capital moved from Prescott to Phoenix in 1889, and the territorial offices were also in City Hall. The arrival of
11200-469: The world was veering off course. He arrived at the conclusion that the gravity of the situation demanded more profound actions and the establishment of a " world government " was the only logical solution. In his "Open Letter to the General Assembly of the United Nations" of October 1947, Einstein emphasized the urgent need for international cooperation and the establishment of a world government. In
11312-797: The year 1948, Einstein invited United World Federalists, Inc. (UWF) president Cord Meyer to a meeting of ECAS and joined UWF as a member of the Advisory Board. Einstein and ECAS assisted UWF in fundraising and provided supporting material. Einstein described United World Federalists as: "the group nearest to our aspirations". Einstein and other prominent figures such as Gerhard Domagk , Robert Hutchins , Kerstin Hesselgren , John Steinbeck , William Beveridge , Hu Shih , Albert Camus , Toyohiko Kagawa , Yehudi Menuhin , Jacques Maritain , John Boyd Orr , Thomas Mann , Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan , Roberto Rossellini and Hans Thirring sponsored
11424-490: Was $ 150,000, down from its $ 262,000 peak in 2007. Crime rates in Phoenix have fallen in recent years, and once troubled, decaying neighborhoods such as South Mountain , Alhambra , and Maryvale have recovered and stabilized. On June 1, 2023, the State of Arizona announced the decision to halt new housing development in the Phoenix metropolitan area that relies solely on groundwater due to a predicted water shortfall. Phoenix
11536-459: Was 1,512,986, the fifth largest just ahead of Philadelphia. After leading the U.S. in population growth for over a decade, the sub-prime mortgage crisis, followed by the recession, led to a slowing in the growth of Phoenix. There were approximately 77,000 people added to the population of the Phoenix metropolitan area in 2009, which was down significantly from its peak in 2006 of 162,000. Despite this slowing, Phoenix's population grew by 9.4% since
11648-414: Was a significant milestone in the pursuit of global governance, as it convened to deliberate and adopt the Constitution for the Federation of Earth. Attended by 138 delegates from 25 countries across six continents, the event marked an unprecedented gathering of international representatives. During the assembly, the drafting commission presented the proposed 'Constitution for the Federation of Earth', which
11760-679: Was an advertising slogan invented to boost tourism. During World War II, Phoenix's economy shifted to that of a distribution center, transforming into an "embryonic industrial city" with the mass production of military supplies. There were three air force fields in the area: Luke Field , Williams Field , and Falcon Field , as well as two large pilot training camps, Thunderbird Field No. 1 in Glendale and Thunderbird Field No. 2 in Scottsdale. A town that had just over 65,000 residents in 1940 became America's fifth largest city by 2020, with
11872-428: Was an international committee led by Thane Read to build widespread support for the development and establishment of a World constitution . It was officially established in 1962. It was formed to address the mounting concern over the threat of atomic war and the pressing need for global peace and cooperation via establishing a World Federation governed by mutually constituted world law . The idea of holding
11984-553: Was chaired by Josue de Castro , who was the Ambassador of Brazil in Geneva, Switzerland at the time, he was elected as President of World Committee for a World Constitutional Convention (WCWCC) along with Philip Isely as Secretary General. During this congress, a call was issued to define the basic terms for the upcoming Convention and to invite people and governments from all nations to send delegates. This initial gathering laid
12096-573: Was made. In 1966, the third Preparatory Congress or Geneva Congress was held in Geneva , Switzerland. This congress played a crucial role in setting the stage for the World Constitutional Convention to be held in the subsequent year. Delegates at the Geneva congress finalized the terms and conditions for commencing the Convention and Parliament at Interlaken and Wolfach in 1968. Three Preparatory Congresses collectively served as foundational steps in garnering support, defining objectives, and formulating
12208-521: Was settled in 1867 as an agricultural community near the confluence of the Salt and Gila Rivers and was incorporated as a city in 1881. It became the capital of Arizona Territory in 1889. Its canal system led to a thriving farming community with the original settlers' crops, such as alfalfa , cotton , citrus , and hay , remaining important parts of the local economy for decades. Cotton, cattle , citrus, climate , and copper were known locally as
12320-534: Was the organizer of the congress with Victor W. Haflich, then Member of the State Legislature , Kansas , President; Dr. Neal Bishop , Vice President; Professor Agnes B.Hatfield, Secretary; T. E. Robertson Jr., Treasurer and Philip Isely as Executive Director of committee. There were 126 participants from 15 countries. World Parliament Association (WPA) delegation, Josué de Castro , Mary Tibaldi Chiesa and Janet Hartog from Europe also attended. Meeting
12432-706: Was then examined clause by clause. The participating delegates engaged in extensive debates, offering amendments and contributing to the refinement of the document. Notable figures leading the discussions included the Indian delegation leader, A. B. Patel, former member of the Kenyan legislature, Dr. S. Kaiser from Netherlands, Dr. Carmel Kussman, New York, Mrs. Mia Lord, London, U.K., Dr. Helen Tucker, Canada, Dr. Hanna Newcombe , Canada, Kenneth Komo, Botswana, Foster Parmalee, U.S.A., Margaret Isely , U.S.A., Dr. Ahmed Subandjo, Indonesia and many more. The Assembly unanimously adopted
12544-568: Was to promote the Call and garner support for the proposed world constitutional convention . It sought to engage governments, institutions, and individuals worldwide in discussions about the political possibilities of a World Federation governed by a democratic federal World government . To achieve its objectives, the WCCC drafted a conditional agreement that prominent individuals were asked to sign. This agreement outlined specific conditions under which these individuals would lend their support to
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