Fifty years ago, the European Society of Pediatric Research (ESPR) was initially formed as a club for European pediatric investigators. During the annual meeting in Interlaken, Switzerland, in 1969, a mere 10 y after their first meeting, the Club adopted a constitution and became a professional Society now known as the ESPR.

Today's pediatric scientists live in a world quite different from their colleagues of 50 y ago. At that time, those who survived World War II were still suffering psychological trauma from the war. Because of the European, postwar geopolitical climate, the first two international pediatric congresses were held in New York and Havana. By 1955, the situation in Europe had stabilized, and the Third Congress was held in Copenhagen.

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