January 31, 2000

On this day in 2000, Irish American George Mitchell was nominated along with President Bill Clinton for the Nobel Peace Prize. Mitchell served as United States Special Envoy for Ireland under President Clinton. He worked diligently for peaceful negotiations in Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement, signed in 1998, is largely credited to the work that Mitchell did and is widely described as one of the most crucial members in the peace talks. He was also made an Honorary Knight Grand Cross by Queen Elizabeth II for his service. He later became Special Envoy for Middle East Peace under President Obama.