325. Editorial Note
The Treaty on Antarctica was signed at the final plenary session of the conference, December 1, 1959. A memorandum from Phleger to Herter describing this session is in Department of State, Central Files, 399.829/12–159. For texts of the closing statements by each delegation, the Final Act of the Conference on Antarctica, and the Antarctic Treaty, see The Conference on Antarctica, Washington, October 15–December 1, 1959, pages 43–67. On February 4, 1960, Secretary Herter transmitted the treaty to President Eisenhower, who on February 15 submitted it to the Senate. For texts of Herter’s report to the President and Eisenhower’s message to the Senate, see ibid., pages 71–78. On August 8, the Senate ratified the treaty and it entered into force for the United States on June 23, 1961, following the ratification by the other 11 signatories. (TIAS 4780; 12 UST 794)