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On February 28, 1986, Olof Palme, Swedish Prime Minister, leader of the Social Democratic Party was gunned down on a Stockholm street home from a cinema with his wife, Lisbet. A man in an overcoat approached from behind, drew a Smith & Wesson revolver and shot the premier in his back. While there are theories about who could have been behind the murder, the identity of the culprit remains a mystery.

Palme spent 3 months following his graduation on a tour of the US, embarking with only $300 in his pocket. He later said that what he heard and saw on that trip influenced his political and social ideals. Upon his return to Sweden, Palme studied law and then became personal secretary to Swedish Prime Minister Tage Erlander, beginning a long career in his country's government.

Western leader - "We had come to know him not only as a leader of the Swedish people and an international statesman, but also as one of us, a fellow combatant who has made an inestimable contribution to the struggle for the liberation of South Africa... From Vietnam to Nicaragua, from El Salvador to Palestine, from Sahara to South Africa, across the face of the globe, the flags hang limp and half mast in loving memory of this giant of justice who had become a citizen of the world, a brother and a comrade to all who are downtrodden." - Message of condolence by Mr. Oliver Tambo, President of the African National Congress of South Africa.

The Olof Palme murder: who covered it up? - The crimes of apartheid against the peoples of southern Africa have been well known to the world for a long time. They were swept under the rug by the imperialist partners of the racist state for many years. But the glorious struggle of the South African, Namibian Mozambican, Zimbabwean and Angolan masses finally forced them into the open.

Olof Palme is considered one of the great heroes within the Swedish social democracy. Justice, equality and peace were very close to his heart.

Olof Palme: Worldly Premier of Sweden -- If one thinks of Sweden in the last 30 years, the name Olof Palme will probably come to mind. An energetic and imaginative politician in his day, Premier Olof Palme introduced Sweden to the modern international arena and dedicated himself to themes of "Socialism, Peace, and Solidarity." He refused to be bound by the narrow-minded cold war mentality, taking a strong stand against the Vietnam War and fighting for liberation of oppressed people in third world countries. Yet Olof Palmes controversial character eventually led to his demise. On a seemingly calm evening in 1986 his brutal murder shocked Sweden and the rest of the world. 1927-1986 - Winner 1998 Texas Swedish Cultural Foundation Essay Contest

The Legacy of Olof Palme -- The frail offspring of a wealthy conservative family grew up to become the dynamic leader of Sweden's labor movement-- and the object of intense hatred from reactionary forces at home and abroad.

Could it have been George Bush who assassinated Olof Palme? --Message posted on newsgroups 09/99 There is an ongoing discussion in Sweden about the role of George Bush and the "parallel government" that Bush led during the time of the assassination of Olof Palme in 1986. This discussion deals mainly with the Bush led secret arms- and drugs business that is more known as the Iran/Contras-affair, and the use of mercenaries in this business.

Sweden during the 70's -- In 1969, Olof Palme became minister of state. He carried out two major reforms of the constitution; reducing the chambers in the parliament from 2 to 1 in 1969 and in 1975 removing the last of the monarch's constitutional powers. One of the constitutional laws was changed. It was the order of succession which became cognate from being agnate. This gave Sweden a female succession to the throne. During the period 1970-1973, Palme had control over the parliamentarian situation. The interest in labour-market questions was big and a law, which increased job security, was established. The employer could not fire a worker so easily anymore. In the general election in 1973, the socialistic parties and the non-socialistic parties got 175 places each in the parliament. The Palme administration continued to govern the country but several times they had to draw lots to decide on some issues. But the most important issues were decided in agreement.

Palme also opposed the nuclear arms race and South African apartheid and championed the Palestine Liberation Army and Castro's Cuba.

Technical evidence

The Tenth Anniversary of the Death of Olof Palme -- February 28, 1996

Recent texts concerning the Palme murder -- Home pages for the Usenet newsgroup soc.culture.nordic.

The Truth Commission Files -- Olof Palme, the Swedish premier and leader of the Social Democratic Part was an ardent opponent of apartheid.

"Funeral Music for Olof Palme" -- In the midst of composing the "Fragments of a Dream Play: the Growing Castle" news of the murder of Swedish President, Olof Palme thrust itself upon the world. The composer, who grew up in Sweden, felt drawn into the mood of the Swedish people and was moved spontaneously to compose Funeral Music for Olof Palme.

Grave of Olof Palme b. 1927. d. 1986. -- Prime Minister of Sweden 1969-76 and 1982-86. Chairman of the Socialist Party 1969-1986.

The building which houses the Anthropology and Sociology department was named after Olof Palme, a graduate of Kenyon College and former prime minister of Sweden.