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President Harry S. Truman signs a proclamation declaring into effect the 12-nation Atlantic Pact binding North America and Western Europe in a common defense alliance. Witnessing the signing, from left to right: Hoyar Miller of the United Kingdom; Ambassador Henrik De Kauffmann of Denmark; Canadian Embassy Counselor W.D. Matthews; Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson; Ambassador Wilhelm Munthe De Morgenstierne of Norway; Ambassador Henri Bonnet of France; Baron Silvercruys, Ambassador of Belgium, Ambassador Pedro Pereira of Portugal; Secretary of State Dean Acheson; Netherlands Minister Jonkheer O. Reuchlin, and Italian Embassy Counselor Mario Lucioli. (KEYSTONE/AP Photo/Byron Rollins)