Britain's Queen Elizabeth II shook hands Wednesday with former IRA commander Martin McGuinness in a historic gesture marking an advance in the peace process around British rule of Northern Ireland.
The handshake comes 14 years after the end of a conflict that claimed about 3,500 lives and illustrates one example of when a handshake is more than just a handshake.
A few other handy examples in the history books:
• In 1972, on his trip to China, U.S. President Richard Nixon shook hands with Mao Zedong, in a first step toward better relations between the two countries.
• Thirteen years later, in Geneva, Switzerland, U.S. President Ronald Reagan did the same with another Communist leader: Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev. The two leaders were seeking common ground on arms reduction and other issues.
• Then, there was a historic moment in 1990. South African President F. W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela shook hands in an iconic moment on the path to end apartheid.
• And finally: Israel's Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat famously shook hands at the White House in 1993. The two were later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts in Mideast peace negotiations.
What do you think? What are other instances throughout history when a handshake was more than a handshake? Share your comments below.
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During the 1800's, the gift exchanges between King Theodore I of Ethiopia and Queen Victoria of Great Britain.
It was much the true history, than the current one.
Back in the old Days, true friendship means ready to sacrificed BLOOD and SOUL. But, nowadays, ...
You remember the good old days.
Yes! It was all good.
In April 2011 Hamas and Fatah delegation leaders Musa Abu Marzuka and Fatah Azzam al-Ahmad shoke hands after an historic agreement. Reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas was a historic achievement for the Palestinians, whose rivalries and divisions have weakened them and been exploited by their enemies.
In June 1961, John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev met for the first time in Vienna for a two-day summit two months after the Bay of Pigs crisis in Cuba.
THE VERY OLD DAYS WHEN ADAM SHOOK THE HAND OF EVE AND HUMANITY STARTED ON THIS PLANET
That's Great!
At least, someone remembered and appreciated the Great history of Great Britain.
Good for you, my friend.
What ya'll need is a good dose of imperial hegemony.
Yeah. The Irish certainly remember all the wonderful "things" you monarchists did to us...
Before the 21st Century, handshake = friendship.
After the 21st. Century, handshake = muscle check.
I have to agree. It seems as though the handshake of leaders today is akin to two boxers hitting gloves together before the first bell.
Remember the song by the group "Undisputed truth"?...."beware of the handshake that hides a snake."
I guess if your fingers are already sticky you would not mind touching these people.
Where's that like button?
A handshake means absolutely nothing whatsoever. It's an empty formality. Everyone knows that after the handshakes is over, it's business as usual. My question is, will any handshake ever mean anything again?
A handshake is a personality test. If you can't correctly infer at least a few characteristics from a person's grip, find a career where you don't work with people, because even if you can't read them, rest assured that they're reading you.
The idea that you can read someone based on their handshake isn't exactly novel. At a young age a coach of mine explained it to us in detail, and made us practice hand-shakes. So, whatever you believe to "read" may simply be a well practiced fake.
A hand shake has as much value as let it, it can mean alot or nothing depending on personal values...
The famous handshake between the Putralescent Fecal Golem of Pontifex 12 and Ramses nibblet the 3rd.
Little did Ramses know is that a handshake is actually a mating practice beheld by the Fecal Golems. Oh what a venerable race!
And again, may I say... Where is that like button?
So, how much Guinness did Martin have before shaking hands with Queen Elizabeth?
1978–Sadat and Begin.
Surprised that wasn't at the top of the list
Maybe they didn't have a stock photo that prominently features a US president at that occasion?
Yes, and more meaningful than that Rabin and Arafat one.
Right!
Typical of the young pups at CNN that they would not have made the Sadat-Begin handshake #1. That is one of the most significant handshakes of history.
I expected Sadat and Begin at the top of the list too. Hellooooo CNN? Check your archives............
That's what I thought
No kidding. When I clicked on the article I assumed this one would be the lead-in and it's not even on the list? Shame CNN.
That should have been at the top of the list. It changed the landscape of the middle east and ultimately lead to the death of Saddat.
How about when General Robert E. Lee offered his hand to shake with Ulysses Grant and instead of shaking, Grant stole Lee's sword?
Uh, could you be a bigger imbecile? Grant not only let Lee and the entire officer corps keep their swords, but their rifles as well.
Is that how they teach history in the South? It would have been in keeping with military tradition to relieve Lee of his sword at a surrender, but Grant allowed Lee and his officers to keep their swords, guns, and horses.
True ignorance. Lee actually offered Grant his sword and Grant wouldn't take it. All Confederate officers were allowed to keep their sidearms, swords and horses.
I fully agree with that account, just from the amount of handed down Confederate arms being sold at Gold and Silver Pawn shop of Las Vegas.
Gen Lee's Sword was kept by him until his death, his decendants gave the sword to the "Museum of the Confederacy".. located in the old Southern White House. Grant was very generous on his terms. Officers could keep their Swords, Sidearms, and Horses.. Enlisted who owned their own horses (virtally all the southen cavalry) were allowed to keep them as well (Grant stated later that it was Planting Season and they would be needing them at home). In additon, Grant gave Lee over 30,000 rations for his starving troops. The rifles and cannons were surrendered.. in addition to the battle flags of each regiment (later returned to each state). Although Grant could have taken Lee's Sword (a common designation of an officer's surrender in the times, Grant never accepted Lee's sword). The sword has an honored place in the Museum and has a ceremonial use at weddings where it's allowed to be used to cut the cake.
All of you have it wrong. Lee did not offer Grant his sword, it was his SOCKS, to which Grant wisely said "Ummm, no.... you can keep them!" Seriously, after months and months of war, horse riding, dirty roads/trails, etc., no on in their right mind would want those socks.
IT's no big deal if the Handshake doesn't equate to Peace
THE MOST EPIC OF ALL..IS ALSO TODAYS TRIBUTE TO NORA EPHRON... THE HANDSHAKE..."WHEN HARRY MET SALLY" IJS
why are you yelling
Funny, I saw a similar article on AP two days ago. Is CNN ripping off the Associated Press without giving proper credit? Here's the link (you can see this article was posted two days before CNN's):
http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-06-25-Photo%20Gallery-Historic%20Handshakes/id-01ce0e7e73df4a4b97f04d65c5378610
How about Camp David Accords Begin of Israel and Sadat of Egypt?
Well I seem to remember Carter having to push them together for that
Indeed. Unlike some others that resulted in a lasting peace. CNN missed it big on this one.
The Bill Belicheck and Eric Mangini handshake.
Elvis and Nixon?
Kennedy shaking hands with the Pope. The significance being that Kennedy shook the Pope's hand whereas Catholics (like Kennedy was) are generally suppose to greet the Pope by kissing his ring. The world was watching the greeting to see if Kennedy was Catholic first and foremost or President first and foremost. Kennedy greeted him with only the handshake and never kissed his ring unless he snuck in a smooch off camera.
Kennedy proved here that separation between Church and State is still a standing importance for him. He did the right thing.
That's the thing about Kennedy that made Rick Santorum "want to throw up".
"snuck a smooch" -> LMAO
Ceaser and Brutus?
What a tragedy that Barack Obama and Mahmoud Ahmedinejad can't be shaking hands just like the Queen of England and Mr. McGuiness did in Northern Ireland! The problem here is that Obama works for the M.I.C. in Washington and he'll do whatever they tell him to do. He sold out to them upon assuming the Presidency!
Marine? What a maroon.
Hey Scheisskopf (I know what that means), learn how to spell first. Obama needs to go ASAP!
Marine, you are 100 % correct!!
Disagree – Obama is the commander in chief and the best one we've ever had. Just because he makes unpopular but needed decision dosen't mean he has, and will go.
Romney is weak and foolish – no chance he will be elected come November.
Obama wouldn't shake hands with Ahmedinejad because he isn't the leader of Iran...read a book
It's when you tickle the palm of their hand with your forefinger...
President Obama and Fidel Castro 2015. Yay!
Hitler and Chamberlain?
Hitler and Petain?
Well, if all of this is true and I can get my ex to shake my hand, then... well.... nahh... I don't believe it's true.
Ha, ha. If your ex is like mine – they are better at waving fingers than shaking hands.
Handshakes are good things? Thank you Captain Obvious!
Here are the ones at the top of my mind:
- when Paul met Jesus
- when Jefferson met Franklin
- when Grant met Sherman
- when Einstein met Maxwell (as only mathematicians can)
- when Fermi met Oppenheimer
- when Stalin met Beria
- when Osama bin Laden met Abdullah Yusuf Azzam
When Bin Laden met the 72 virgins!
72 VIRGINIANS, you idiot!
The Navy buried him at sea.. Undobutably thinking he's supposed to get 72 Sturgeons.. He's undoubtably got Crabs.
al Sadat and Begin with Jimmy Carter at Camp David
What is wrong with you people?
NIXON AND ELVIS!
How about Tom Stafford and Alexei Leonov, as part of the Apollo-Soyuz mission?
Clay and Liston
No Gorbachev and Reagan??
You're not too good at the whole reading thing, are you...
Donald Rumsfeld/Saddam Hussein, 1983.
Hahaha. Long lasting friendship
Ribbentrop (representing Hitler) and Stalin (for Germany-USSR non-aggression treaty), 1939: http://www.answers.com/topic/joachim-von-ribbentrop
Wasn't Ribbentrop schutping Wallis Simpson when he was posted in London? Now that would be a memorable 'handshake'...
What do I think? We live in a much angrier World right now that 15 years ago.
When he became prime minister in 1992, Yitzhak Rabin had reputation of a soldier and a patriot. No way a pacifist or something of this sort. When he shook hands with Arafat, not everybody in Israel liked it, but overall it was accepted with the hope and expectation of quick ending of permanent stand off with Palestinians. When Yitzhak Rabin was killed, it was true shock for Israel and great sadness, especially knowing that he was killed by an Israeli.
When Ariel Sharon became prime minister in 2001, he was regarded as an extremest by very many. Then guess what? By today's standards Ariel Sharon is nothing but a Dove of Piece, while Yitzhak Rabin is mostly remembered as almost like a traitor by too many. Even his killer is often viewed as a hero and martyr... Unfortunately the whole spectrum of views moved to one side.
Who gives an F about these characters. They are nothing but pimples on an elephant's butt.
Count your fingers after you shake hands with a hindu indian. Better not to shake hands at all.
I won't shake hands with baggers or with birthers because they usually have poop between their fingers.
I would submit to you that the first person to slap five on someone else was historic. It officially marked the moment when enthusiasm of sports would begin to transcend racial barriers.
Torgau, Germany
April 26, 1945.
2nd Lt. Robertson of the U.S. 1st Army with Lt. Silvashko of the Red Army.
Abe Lincoln meets a number of freed slaves in the White House and shakes their hands. Lincoln was the first President to official meet African Americans in the White House which he did often including people like Frederick Douglas and Sojourner Truth.
Clinton and Castro
The handshakes exchanged by Jewish Concentration camp survivors and the GI's who liberated them from the Nazis.
The handshake between Gen. US Grant and Gen. Robert E. Lee that ended the US Civil war. That one handshake showed that belligerents could still come together in mutual respect and admiration. That one handshake probably did more to pave the way for a relatively peaceful transition back to a state on civil peace than any legislation ever could.
More noteworthy handshakes:
Apollo – Soyuz handshake
Channel Tunnel handshake
Stanley – Livingstone handshake "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"
MacArthur – Truman handshake (protocol called for saluting the Commander in Chief)
McKinley – Czolgosz handshake (who shot the President while gripping him in a handshake)
Judas – Jesus kiss (when Judas betrays him, I think that counts since a kiss was the equivalent of a handshake in that time/place)
McCain & Palin Ha Ha Ha!!!!!!!!!1
Handshakes nowadays are just fake photo-op moments for the media and propaganda. When I see those guys hug & embrace, then I'll know it's real.
There once was an Arkansas teenager by the name of Bill Clinton meeting JFK in 1963.
india's Shastri died in 1966 after shaking hands with pakistan's president Khan being so scared
shastri was a pu$$y typical of hindus
I'll second that. Been to india and seen the double faced indians in action. don't trust them
The last time Yurhand shook Mydick was pretty memorable, too....
Not going far enough in the very philosophy of the handshake. The most famous handshake I can imagine I am aware is the one between Zacharias Moussaoui and then president William Jefferson Clinton. It was the "handshake" of electronic communications between the two as Moussaoui was a student at the University of Oklahoma in November 2000. He laid out the full 9/11 plans in messages sent to White House accounts. Clinton later said he knew about those messages but they did not have a timeline. He said he could not act on terrorist threats that were not dated. He said people threatened to do bad things all the time. Moussaoui's threats turned out to be 100 percent correct because he said there would be airliners hijacked and flown into targets in NYC and D.C. Clinton said that warning alone was not enough to change any current US law at the time. So after 9/11/01, those messages became some of the most important emails ever sent.
Hi!
The most poignant handshake I can recall is between Dr. Bruce Banner and Nick Fury. It pretty much established The Avengers.
The biggest mistake I ever made and that was gigantic, was to refuse to shake hands with the Chinese Foreign Minister Chou En-Lai back in 1954 in Geneva. I was wrong then but then again, I didn't know any better! I hope that history will forgive me.
Don't feel bad, J. Foster. Most of us were pretty much brainwashed in those days against Communism. Learning is the opposite of ignorance but unfotunately, most people are still afflicted with the latter!
I too remember that 1954 incident in Geneva, Switzerland. We all learn from our mistakes except for the ignorant politicians in Washington. They only watch out for themselves and will do whatever the MIC tells them to do!
April 26, 1945 – Commanders of the American 69th Infantry Regiment and the Soviet Russian 58th Guards Rifle Division were photographed shaking hands one day after the two forces met up on the Elbe River in Germany. It signified the first official meeting of the two forces during the Second World War, and was declared around the world as a reaffirmation of the Allies dedication to end the conflict. Four days later, Adolf Hitler committed suicide.
The '93 Oslo accords were a mistake. The "palestinians" weren't serious about making peace with Israel, as a result is the current situation. When the "palestinians" and not just their leaders are serious about peace and recognize the existence of the Jewish State of Israel, then there will be peace and then something like Oslo makes sense.
The Nobel committee should ask for their money back. A "Peace Prize" should require a peace. Half of Palestine still officially believes that Israel is illegitimate and should be eradicated.
Good evening everyone. You are all invited to visit – thestarofkaduri.com
Hitler greeted Chamberlain at the Hotel Dreesen with a handshake, and a few weeks later again in Munich... seems that was not quite to be taken on face-value
Don't forget this handshake.
http://history1900s.about.com/library/holocaust/blhitler19.htm
Notice they all had their left hands behind their back, fingers crossed?
Does the Obama-Holder reach-around count?
And what did Israel get for it? More terror more death...Hamas has shot over 150 rocket into Israel in the last 3 days!
Granted it was a lot of empty handshakes, but I'd have to say the men involved with The Louisiana Purchase should be in consideration.
That time that the Joker shook Batman's hand with a buzzer in it. Classic. =)
What about the infamous handshake between Jim Schwartz and Jim Harbaugh?
Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin as brought together by President Jimmy Carter at the Camp David Accords in 1978
I was thinking Begin and Sadat also. At least that accomplished something. Rabin/Arafat... not so much.
The most important one and most watched in history, President Anwar El Sadat Hand shakes to all Israel's Leader Ship in the most courageous trip in history in 1977 to Jerusalem.
In Kenya when the President Mwai Kibaki shook hands with the Prime Minister Raila Odinga,to end the post election violence in 2008,which claimed over 1000 lives
Summer of 1975 – Location: Warner Bros. Studios
A photograph captures two men in business attire standing outside of the studio shaking hands, one of them on fire. It was used for Pink Floyd's album Wish You Were Here. This, by far, is the most iconic handahake ever.
I live in the US and just accepted a job contract with the state of Berlin, in Germany. But my contract is not sealed until I show up there and only then is it 'sealed' with a handshake. In Germany, it seems, a handshake is still a formality that carries some respect.
When singer Michael Jackson wear gloves and had a handshake with President Ronald Regan, Mr.Regan said, "Jackson is ....".
Mr.Regan was the famous President. He reconciled and united then the Two Germans.
He is my favour President, just by reading his biography.
I do not really read anything.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. "Sun-tzu, Chinese General and military strategist 400 BC"
Sometimes good for got, sometimes good for naught. Either way wash your hands.
Reblogged this on Vijana wetu.