A New Zealand mayor has publicly disputed Donald Trump's assertion that America split the atom during his inauguration address, pointing to the contributions of Kiwi-born physicist Ernest Rutherford.
A small town mayor in New Zealand has taken a nuclear stand against Donald Trump after the newly sworn-in U.S. president lauded American scientists for splitting the atom. Mr. Trump's inauguration address celebrated a series of American achievements, including ending slavery, venturing into space, and the moment they 'split the atom.
' The mayor of Nelson in New Zealand's South Island, Nick Smith, seized upon this subatomic slight, highlighting that the pioneering work in splitting the atom was actually spearheaded by Kiwi-born physicist Ernest Rutherford. 'I was a bit surprised by new President Donald Trump in his inauguration speech about US greatness claiming today Americans 'split the atom' when that honor belongs to Nelson's most famous and favorite son Sir Ernest Rutherford,' Mayor Smith wrote on social media. Credited with splitting the nucleus of an atom during experiments at the U.K.'s Manchester University in 1917, Rutherford was 'the first to artificially induce a nuclear reaction by bombarding nitrogen nuclei with alpha particles,' Smith stated. He added that he would invite the incoming U.S. ambassador to visit the Rutherford memorial in Nelson, a town of 50,000, 'so we can keep the historic record on who split the atom first accurate.' Ben Uffindell, editor of a satirical New Zealand news website called The Civilian, also challenged Mr. Trump's assertion. 'Okay, I've gotta call time. Trump just claimed America split the atom. That's THE ONE THING WE DID,' Uffindell wrote on social media. Widely recognized as the 'father of nuclear physics,' Rutherford was awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1908 for earlier work on radioactivity. While Rutherford is credited with the initial splitting of the atom, Englishman John Cockcroft and Irishman Ernest Walton later conducted the first controlled experiment to split an atomic nucleus, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Rutherford remains one of New Zealand's most celebrated sons, and his face continues to grace the country's $100 bill
DONALD TRUMP ERNEST RUTHERFORD NEW ZEALAND ATOM HISTORY
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NYC Mayor Adams to Attend Trump Inauguration After Trump Team's RequestNew York City Mayor Eric Adams will attend Donald Trump's inauguration after the president-elect's team specifically invited him to Washington, DC. This comes after weeks of speculation and following a recent meeting between Adams and Trump in Florida.
Read more »
Houston Mayor Addresses City's Financial ChallengesHouston Mayor Sylvester Turner outlines plans to address the city's financial woes, highlighting the need for better management, collaboration with other levels of government, and efficiency measures.
Read more »
Houston Mayor John Whitmire Discusses City Progress and Challenges in New Year's InterviewHouston Mayor John Whitmire reflects on the city's advancements and outlines key priorities for 2025. He highlights the exceptional work of Chief Diaz and the Houston Police Department (HPD), emphasizing the department's improved morale and strategic use of officers. Mayor Whitmire also addresses concerns regarding low bonds for offenders, pledging to advocate for stricter measures.
Read more »
Columbus Mayor Reflects on 2024 Accomplishments and ChallengesColumbus Mayor Andrew Ginther highlights the city's progress in recovering from recent cyberattacks, emphasizing the restoration of over 93% of systems and ongoing investigations with the FBI and Homeland Security. He also expresses pride in the Division of Police's achievements in reducing homicides and felonious assaults, while acknowledging the rise in property crime. Ginther plans to advocate for cybersecurity as a national priority under the new administration.
Read more »
Columbus Mayor Highlights City's Achievements and Ongoing ChallengesColumbus Mayor Andrew Ginther reflects on the city's progress in 2024, acknowledging improvements in cybersecurity, crime reduction, and community recovery efforts. However, he also addresses rising property crime and emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and investment in public safety.
Read more »
Mayor Adams Faces Re-election Challenges in 2024Mayor Eric Adams enters his re-election year facing a federal corruption trial and challenges to his campaign funding. While he has a mixed record on crime and quality of life issues, his opponents offer radical policies. His love for the city and consistent centrism may still appeal to voters.
Read more »