18 moments

1. Birth in Tokyo

   1921-01-18 · Tokyo, Japan

   Nambu was born in Tokyo, beginning the life of the physicist later recognized for foundational work in particle physics. Coordinates represent central Tokyo; the specific birthplace is not identified.

2. Childhood relocation to Fukui

   1923-01-01 · Fukui Prefecture, Japan

   

   After the Great Kantō Earthquake, Nambu's family relocated to Fukui Prefecture, where he spent the rest of his childhood and completed high school. Coordinates are a representative point for Fukui Prefecture, rather than an identified childhood residence.

3. Physics degree at Tokyo Imperial University

   1942-01-01 · University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus, Tokyo, Japan

   

   Nambu completed his physics bachelor's degree at Tokyo Imperial University before military service and his subsequent research career. The university is represented by its Hongo campus; the source does not identify a particular building.

4. Army radar-research assignment

   1944-01-01 · Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

   During the final phase of World War II, Nambu was assigned to an Army radar-research facility in Takarazuka, bringing him into contact with Osaka Imperial University physicists. Coordinates represent Takarazuka because the precise Army research-facility site is not specified.

5. Postwar residence at the University of Tokyo

   1945-01-01 · University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus, Tokyo, Japan

   After the war, Nambu lived and pursued physics research at the University of Tokyo for three years, joining Jiro Koba's group studying Tomonaga's theory. The source gives a postwar three-year residence but no exact start date; 1945 marks the beginning of the postwar period.

6. Associate professorship at Osaka City University

   1949-01-01 · Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan

   Nambu moved into a university faculty role at Osaka City University, where he became an associate professor and was promoted to professor the following year. Coordinates represent the former Osaka City University Sugimoto campus.

7. Institute for Advanced Study membership

   1952-09-01 · Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey, United States

   

   Nambu began a two-year membership in the Institute for Advanced Study's School of Mathematics in Princeton after relocating to the United States.

8. Research appointment at the University of Chicago

   1954-01-01 · University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States

   

   Nambu joined the University of Chicago as a research associate, beginning the Chicago career that became his principal American academic base. Coordinates represent the University of Chicago's Hyde Park campus.

9. National Medal of Science ceremony

   1983-05-24 · East Room, White House, Washington, D.C., United States

   

   Nambu attended the White House ceremony at which President Ronald Reagan presented National Medals of Science, recognizing his contributions to elementary-particle physics. The associated White House ceremony occurred in the East Room on May 24, 1983.

10. Invited-professor stays at Osaka University

    1990-01-01 · Osaka University, Toyonaka Campus, Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

    

    From 1990, Nambu repeatedly stayed at Osaka University as an invited professor, re-establishing a sustained research presence in Osaka alongside his Chicago career. The source establishes recurrent stays from 1990 but does not give dates for individual visits.

11. Nobel Prize medal ceremony

    2008-12-01 · University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States

    

    Unable to attend the Stockholm award ceremony, Nambu received his Nobel Prize medal at a ceremony held on the University of Chicago campus. The source supplies the month but not the day.

12. Nobel commemorative lecture

    2009-05-13 · Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

    

    Nambu delivered his commemorative Nobel lecture, “The Road I Have Taken,” at Osaka University's Graduate School of Science.

13. Nishina Memorial Lecture

    2009-10-26 · Clock Tower Centennial Hall, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

    As guest speaker, Nambu gave Kyoto University's Nishina Memorial Lecture on spontaneous symmetry breaking to an audience of students, researchers, and the public. The same source identifies Nambu as the invited guest speaker and states that he spoke at the lecture.

14. Negishi Nobel celebration

    2010-11-12 · Residence of the Consul General of Japan, Chicago, Illinois, United States

    Nambu attended Ei-ichi Negishi's Nobel celebration and dinner at the Japanese consul general's residence, where he delivered a congratulatory address. Coordinates are a representative point for Chicago because the residence address is not provided by the source.

15. Permanent settlement in Toyonaka

    2011-01-01 · Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

    Nambu moved permanently from Chicago to Toyonaka, while continuing his affiliation with Osaka University. Coordinates represent Toyonaka city center; his residence address is not supplied.

16. Fluid-dynamics lecture

    2013-12-17 · Osaka University, Toyonaka Campus, Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

    In his later years, Nambu gave “A New Look at Fluid Dynamics” at an international symposium held at Osaka University.

17. Yukawa blackboard unveiling

    2014-05-13 · Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, Japan

    

    Nambu attended the unveiling ceremony for Hideki Yukawa's blackboard at Osaka University's Graduate School of Science and signed it.

18. Death in Osaka

    2015-07-05 · Osaka, Japan

    Nambu died in Osaka at age 94, ending a career that had spanned Japanese and American institutions and continued in Osaka after his permanent return to Japan. The hospital is not identified; coordinates represent central Osaka.